Animals > Animal Diseases > Avian Influenza > British Columbia (2004)  

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Reports Following an Outbreak of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in the Lower Fraser Valley of British Columbia in the Winter of 2004

In February 2004, the CFIA diagnosed avian influenza in a domestic flock of poultry in the Lower Fraser Valley of B.C. When the highly pathogenic virus was discovered, the CFIA immediately established an epidemiology team to investigate the sources of the virus and the multiple, potential modes of transmission from farm to farm. The disease reached 42 of the 800 commercial poultry farms (5%) in the Lower Fraser Valley.

Information collected during the outbreak will be used to better understand the source and means of spread of the avian influenza virus. The results of ongoing analysis will also provide an evaluation of the effectiveness of disease control policies employed during the outbreak which will help to direct future outbreak responses.

CFIA Comprehensive Summary Report (February 24, 2005)

Information collected during the outbreak includes:

• Background information on the B.C. poultry industry, avian influenza in Canada, the veterinary infrastructure in Canada, and import / export trade data
• The various roles of key partners in the outbreak response
• A description of the outbreak, including a series of maps showing the affected area and timeline of key events in the response
• Disease control actions taken (ie. methods of destruction, carcass disposal options, compensation, movement restriction options, enforcement activities)
• Diagnostic findings

These elements are compiled in the CFIA Comprehensive Summary Report on the 2004 Outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H7N3) in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. The report outlines the framework by which the disease was contained by the CFIA.

CFIA Source and Means of Spread Report (February 24, 2005)

Since the completion of the CFIA Comprehensive Summary Report, CFIA scientists have further analysed the nature of the disease and means of spread. The results of this aspect of the epidemiological investigation, as well as descriptions of ongoing and future work, are described in the CFIA Source and Means of Spread Report.

The report provides information to poultry producers on the current level of knowledge of the avian influenza virus and the findings of analyses into its origin and spread. In addition, the report outlines a number of recommendations to the poultry industry to enhance flock biosecurity.

The report underwent peer-review by leading experts at the BC Centre for Coastal Health, the BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, and by experts from other countries, including the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

The CFIA Source and Means of Spread Report was based on a synthesis of the information provided by investigators and consultants from various organisations that contributed to the outbreak investigation.

Lessons Learned Review (January 10, 2005)

In July 2004, the CFIA's Corporate Planning, Reporting and Accountability Branch initiated a "lessons learned" review to analyse and document the effectiveness of the CFIA's management of the recent Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia (B.C.).

This review has identified a number of areas where additional focus by the CFIA may bring about improvements in the effectiveness of future responses to foreign animal disease incursions. The identified areas for improvement pertain primarily to emergency planning and preparedness, as well as strategies to improve data management and information flow.