‘Large number’ of wild birds found dead; Mississauga, Brampton officials suspect bird flu [Video]

Large numbers of dead wild birds found recently in Peel are believed to have been infected with avian influenza, more commonly known as the bird flu.

Peel Public Health officials didn’t say where, specifically, in the region the dead birds were found, nor did they say how many were located or exactly when the discovery was made.

They did say in a news release on Friday that the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative is testing the birds to determine the cause of death.

The latest suspected cases of bird flu come one week after confirmed cases of the disease were reported in Brampton.

City of Brampton officials said on Feb. 28 that waterfowl near Mayfield Road and The Gore Road tested positive for avian influenza.

Public health officials say the contagious disease primarily infects wild birds, but can be transmitted to poultry and other mammals. In “extremely rare” cases, they note, …