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Avian Influenza - Wild Bird Survey (2006)

Canada’s Wild Bird Influenza Survey 2006 will sample and test both live and dead, migratory and resident birds.

The collected samples will undergo preliminary analysis by member laboratories in the National Avian Influenza Virus Laboratory Network (AIV-LN). This network, under leadership of the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, includes six provincial or university labs located in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Prince Edward Island.

Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds and may infect other species. Wild waterfowl are a natural reservoir of a family of viruses called "Influenza A". These viruses are not usually harmful to wild waterfowl. The highly pathogenic, Asian strain of the of the H5N1 virus is an exception - it is known to kill both wild birds and commercial poultry.