Diseased Birds Found In Northwest Saskatchewan

Diseased Birds Found In Northwest Saskatchewan

Friday, August 13, 2010 at 13:35

Saskatchewan Environment is reporting an outbreak of disease in birds in Meadow Lake Provincial Park.

Officials say the presence of Newcastle disease has also been discovered at Jackfish Lake.

As of yesterday, about 1,000 double-crested cormorants and gulls had been found dead in those areas, with many others sick.

The disease is naturally-occuring and is caused by a virus.

It does not pose a significant threat to humans, but the virus can lead to mild eye irritation and flu-like symptoms.

Anyone finding sick or dead birds in these areas is being advised to not touch the animals, but contact Saskatchewan Environment instead.