Newsroom > News Releases / Information Bulletins 

LIVE AVIAN INFLUENZA VIRUS NOT PRESENT IN EXPORTED CANADIAN PIGEONS

2005-10-25 - Removal of import restrictions

Ottawa, October 21, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) would like to clarify recent reports on the presence of avian influenza antibodies in three pigeons out of a shipment of 102 pigeons recently exported from Canada to Australia.

None of the exported pigeons were infected with or carrying live avian influenza virus. The birds were neither clinically ill nor capable of making other birds or humans ill. This determination was confirmed by Canadian and Australian animal health experts. As no threat to human or animal health is present, Canada believes the interim import restrictions are unfortunate as Canada followed all Australian certification requirements for importing live birds.

Canada remains free of highly pathogenic avian influenza, including the H5N1 strain, which has been the focus of international attention.

Additional blood tests conducted by Australian authorities had confirmed the presence of generic AI antibodies in the birds. This finding indicates that the birds were likely exposed to an AI virus at some point in their life. Because pigeons are commonly raised outdoors, this finding is not surprising. Exposure to wild birds, which are known carriers of the virus, would result in the development of antibodies.

Since the announcement by Australia, Canadian officials have had ongoing bilateral discussions with their Australian counterparts in hopes of resuming full trade in live birds as soon as possible. Canada and Australia are committed to working together, and animal disease experts from both countries will meet over the weekend to discuss what, if any, actions are required to lift the trade restrictions.

While both countries are sensitive to the international concerns associated with AI, actions must be based on sound science.

Canada takes seriously its responsibilities to meet the requirements of importing countries. Canada’s internationally recognized export certification system reflects the requirements of the World Organization for Animal Health and is carried out by trained veterinarians. Furthermore, Canada is fully committed to contributing to global animal and public health security through the transparent and timely reporting of disease detection. Canada’s avian influenza surveillance program monitors Canadian birds for the AI virus.

-30-

CFIA Media relations:
(613) 228-6682

CFIA Spokesperson:
Dr. Brian Evans (English)
Chief Veterinarian Officer
(613) 225-2342 ext. 3733

Dr. Judith Bossé (French)
Vice-President, Science
(613) 225-2342 ext. 4326

Minister’s Office:
Matt Tolley
(613) 759-1059

• Main Page - Avian Influenza