Home PSEPC Daily Brief DOB06-042

Daily Brief

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

DOB06-042 - 1 March 2006

News

Canadian Forces take command in Afghanistan
On February 28, the Canadian Forces assumed command of Regional Command South in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The Department of National Defence announced that Brigadier-General David Fraser would be responsible for Canadian and coalition operations in Southern Afghanistan until November 2006.
(Source: National Defence, 28 February 2006)
Source article

Lack of ice could cancel seal hunt: DFO
On February 28, the CBC reported that Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) officials indicated that the current lack of ice pack in the Gulf of St Lawrence could lead to the cancellation of the annual seal hunt. The department is monitoring the situation and will issue updates as required.
(Source: CBCnews, 28 February 2006)
Source article

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for the conservation and sustainable use of Canada's fisheries resources.

Canada tightens border to prevent avian influenza
On March 1, the Toronto Star reported that the Canadian Border Services Agency has increased inspections at border entry points for travellers arriving from Europe in an effort to prevent the avian influenza virus from entering the country.
(Source: TORONTO STAR, 1 March 2006)
Source article

Spring flooding conditions in Manitoba dependent on weather
On February 27, Manitoba Water Stewardship’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre released its first provincial flood outlook for spring 2006. The outlook indicates that the spring flood potential is still very dependent on weather conditions from now until the end of May 2006.
(Source: Government of Manitoba, 27 February 2006)
Source article

In brief

Avian Influenza: Update
On February 28, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that a dead cat found on an island off Germany's northern coast was infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus.

The WHO indicated that u nlike the avian influenza cases detected in domestic and wild birds, there is no evidence that domestic cats are a reservoir of the virus or that they play a role in the transmission cycle of H5N1 viruses.
(Source: World Health Organization, 28 February 2006)
Source article

Hungary confirms new case of avian influenza
On March 1, the Hungarian government announced that the country’s eighth case of H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected in a swan. The announcement also confirmed that four new cases of avian influenza were found and further tests were being conducted. One of the new cases was detected on February 22 in an area where dead swans had already tested positive for the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
(Source: Reuters Foundation AlertNet, 1 March 2006)
Source article

Switzerland finds second case of avian influenza
On March 1, the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office reported a second case of H5 avian influenza in a dead swan found in the town of Kreuzlingen. The first case was found on February 26 in the capital city of Geneva . Authorities indicated that further tests were being conducted to establish if the latest case died of the H5N1 avian influenza virus strain.
(Source: Reuters Foundation AlertNet, 1 March 2006)
Source article

Avian influenza confirmed in Sweden
On February 28, the Swedish Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Affairs reported that the country’s first case of avian influenza was detected in two wild ducks. Authorities suspect the birds died from the H5N1 avian influenza virus confirmed in neighbouring countries, and are conducting further tests. Both birds were found near the southeastern port of Oskarshamn on the Baltic Sea.
(Source: Reuters Foundation AlertNet, 28 February 2006)
Source article

The Public Health Agency of Canada provides information on avian influenza.

Cyber risk assessment

Over the course of the past 24 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.

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