BC health agency warns of zoonotic diseases, emphasizing bird flu and chronic wasting disease prevention.

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control advises on preventing zoonotic diseases like bird flu (H5N1), Lyme disease, rabies, and chronic wasting disease. Bird flu, with a 50% mortality rate in children, can jump species, as seen in a 2023 sea lion outbreak. Recommendations include avoiding contact with sick animals, keeping pets away from feces, and reporting sick or dead wild birds. For chronic wasting disease, there is no treatment or vaccine. General precautions include good hygiene, using repellent, and promptly cleaning animal bites.

3 months ago
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