NB 1622
Nov. 25, 2005
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Preliminary testing of 710 healthy, wild migratory ducks in the Maritime provinces has revealed 35 positive results for the H5 avian influenza virus.
These preliminary results do not indicate an increased threat to human health or commercial poultry flocks.
The Canadian Wildlife Service collected the survey samples from young, live and healthy birds during routine banding of migratory waterfowl. The survey is a joint initiative of the federal and provincial governments through the Canadian Co-operative Wildlife Health Centre.
Preliminary results, which were obtained at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island, are similar to findings in other areas of Canada and should not be cause for concern.
Many of the ducks were from the Tantramar marshes near the Nova Scotia-New Brunswick border. Although no bird sample collection has occurred in Newfoundland and Labrador to date, the Atlantic provinces share a common waterfowl migratory route, so results from one area likely represent results for the entire region.
The samples have been sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg to confirm the preliminary results and further determine the virus subtypes. This analysis would also rule out the virus strain now present in Southeast Asia. Migratory birds are known to carry influenza viruses, but it is unlikely the viruses are the same as those now found in Asia and Europe. Results will be available soon.
Federal and provincial governments will continue to monitor the health of wild and domestic birds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a general notice to poultry producers, reminding them to always follow strict biosecurity practices.
More information on testing results and avian flu may be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.
05/11/25
MEDIA CONTACTS: Alain Bryar, communications, Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, 506-444-4218; Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust, Atlantic Veterinary College, 902-566-0667; Media Relations, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 613 228-6682.
05/11/25