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Daily Brief

The PSEPC Daily Brief is a compilation of summaries of publicly available and PSEPC information concerning critical infrastructure protection and emergency management.

DOB05-227 - 28 November 2005

News

Two Canadian aid workers held in Iraq
Media reports that two Canadians were among four Western aid workers kidnapped in Baghdad on Saturday, November 26. Canada 's Defence Minister Bill Graham stated that the government will do everything it can to help free the hostages; however, no details were provided.
(Source: cbc.ca , 28 November 2005 )
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Foreign Affairs Canada has posted a travel report on its Web site advising against all travel to Iraq . The report further states that “ Canadians in this country should leave.” For FAC’s current travel report for Iraq , click here.

Avian influenza in B.C.: Update
Further to PSEPC Daily Brief DOB05-225, on November 25, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced confirmation that the virus from the second infected farm is a North American low pathogenic H5 subtype.  This is the same virus found on the first farm. Both farms were depopulated and onsite composting has been completed.
(Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, 25 November 2005 )
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Results for Avian Influenza in waterfowl in Maritime provinces released
Further to PSEPC Daily Brief DOB05-220, on November 25, the Maritime provinces announced preliminary results of the Canadian Wildlife Service Survey. Preliminary testing of 710 healthy, wild migratory ducks in the Maritime provinces has revealed 35 positive results for the H5 avian influenza virus and one positive result for the H7 virus. H ealth officials have not yet determined the exact strain of the virus. The preliminary results do not indicate an increased threat to human health or commercial poultry flocks.
(Sources: Prince Edward Island , Nova Scotia , New Brunswick , November 25, 2005 )
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For background information on Canada 's Inter-agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey 2005,
click here.

Avian influenza: Update
Further to PSEPC Daily Brief DOB05-225, on November 25, the Ministry of Health in Vietnam has confirmed an additional human case of H5N1 avian influenza. A 15-year-old boy developed symptoms and was hospitalized. He has been discharged from hospital and is recovering. Since mid-December 2004, Vietnam has reported 66 cases, of which 22 were fatal.
(Source: World Health Organization , November 25, 2005 )
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The WHO reports that since December 2003, there have been 132 cases of H5N1 avian influenza resulting in 68 deaths in Indonesia , Vietnam , Thailand , Cambodia and China.
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In brief

Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 72 hours, the Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre (CCIRC) has not detected any significant new threats or vulnerabilities. No significant incidents with the potential to affect critical infrastructure have been reported. Accordingly, based on the information available to CCIRC, the cyber risk facing Canadian critical infrastructure is assessed as low. Personnel responsible for information, systems and network security should continue to apply appropriate security precautions and monitor their systems.

Recent cyber alerts and advisories issued by CCIRC can be viewed under “Recent analytical releases” at www.psepc.gc.ca/ccirc.

See also...

• The Weather Office
• FAC - Travel Updates

Note to readers

Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC) collects information related to cyber and physical threats to, and incidents involving, Canadian critical infrastructure. This allows us to monitor and analyze threats and to issue alerts, advisories and other information products.

Any suspected criminal activity should be reported to local law enforcement organizations. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) National Operations Centre (NOC) provides a 24/7 service to receive such reports or to redirect callers to local law enforcement organizations. The NOC can be reached at (613) 993-4460. National security concerns should be reported to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) at (613) 993-9620.

Links to sites not under the control of the Government of Canada (GoC) are provided solely for the convenience of users. The GoC is not responsible for the accuracy, currency or the reliability of the content. The GoC does not offer any guarantee in that regard and is not responsible for the information found through these links, nor does it endorse the sites and their content.

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