Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
N.L. biologist says avian flu in St. John's 'very concerning' for birds, not humans
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- A biologist in Newfoundland and Labrador says the discovery of the highly pathogenic avian flu in St. John's birds is "very concerning" for bird populations, but likely not for humans.
Memorial University professor Andrew Lang said in an interview Friday the flu could be devastating for North America's wild bird populations if it manages to spread beyond the island of Newfoundland.
The City of St. John's said in a news release Friday the flu had been found in local wild birds and that officials asked residents not to feed, handle or touch any birds, including gulls, ducks and pigeons.
Environment Canada wildlife scientist Alan Hanson said in an interview Friday the flu was found in a great black-backed gull that was found at a St. John's pond on Nov. 26.
The news comes just days after an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu was reported at an "exhibition farm" on Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, which killed 360 of the facility's 419 birds.
Lang says there is "little or no evidence" the strain poses a risk for humans, noting it has shown up in several other parts of the world, such as Israel, where an outbreak recently killed more than 5,000 migratory cranes.
Lang said the current strain is particularly well adapted to spread among wild birds, as it kills many but leaves some alive. Those infected birds can then go on to spread the virus.
He said it's hard to predict what will happen in Newfoundland.
"Best case scenario? Maybe it never leaves the island," he said. "Maybe it'll just vanish; maybe we'll be lucky."
As for the infected gull, Hanson said it was collected at Mundy Pond, in the western part of the capital, and that it was brought to wildlife officials because it was behaving strangely. The bird died about 24 hours after it was brought in, he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico, could intensify as a hurricane threatening Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located 220 miles (355 kilometres) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico.
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Argentine star Lionel Messi was on the bench to start Inter Miami CF's game in Toronto on Saturday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton鈥檚 McMaster University.
A 30-year-old northwestern Ontario woman has been charged with arson following a structure fire Thursday night, police say.
Travelling on a budget can be stressful, but there are ways you can ensure you're getting the best deal on flights as the holiday season approaches.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.
Local Spotlight
Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.
From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.
A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.
The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.
A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.
Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north
What does New Westminster's t蓹m蓹sew虛tx史 Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.
The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.
New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.