Avian Influenza (AI)
AI remained a top concern world-wide as high pathogenic strains of the H5
virus were identified. The Canadian poultry and egg industry went on high
alert when a low pathogenic H5 strain of AI was found on a British Columbia
commercial duck farm in November. Quick action through a self-imposed
quarantine by the producer and the industry/government decision to depopulate
the affected flock prevented an industry-wide crisis similar to the one experienced
in 2004 when AI was discovered in the Fraser Valley. This quick action and
follow-up surveillance resulted in the CFIA and the BC Ministry of Agriculture
and Lands declaring poultry farms in two surveillance zones of the Fraser
Valley to be free of AI. The surveillance zones and all related quarantines
were later removed.
The national agencies and the CPEPC continue to work with the CFIA to
develop an effective and efficient set of AI protocols. A co-ordinator was
hired by the industry to liaise with the CFIA and Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada. The co-ordinator will focus on projects such as compensation, a
pre-emptive cull program and general emergency management, and will also
work with governments to implement a national foreign animal disease
preparedness plan.
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