| Q |
What is this survey and why was it
undertaken? |
| A |
This survey was undertaken to provide benchmark data with
respect to the broad range and distribution of avian influenzas that are found
in wild birds in Canada.
A number of scientific studies, carried out by American scientists, have
been previously published, but these were narrow in scope, only including two
migratory pathways and limited sampling in Canada. This survey is more
comprehensive in nature thereby providing the information necessary to provide
a consistent and national benchmark for Avian Influenza in wild birds.
Information gathered through the study will help Canadian animal health
experts better understand the movement of the virus within migratory patterns.
It will also provide early warnings of changes in the prevalence and types of
viruses in Canada. These warnings would be used to adjust biosecurity
approaches and animal health monitoring programs. This particular survey was
initiated after the 2004 outbreak of avian influenza in the Fraser Valley of
British Columbia.
|
| Q |
Who is involved in the survey? |
| A |
It is a collaborative effort of the Canadian Cooperative
Wildlife Health Center (CCWHC) and Federal and Provincial Governments. The
CCWHC,
which is leading the file, is primarily a research organization based out of
the University of Saskatchewan. The Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment
Canada takes the samples, they are tested in provincial labs, and the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) performs confirmatory tests. Confirmatory tests
are carried out at the CFIA lab in Winnipeg, the National
Center for Foreign Animal Diseases (NCFAD) |
| Q |
How broad is the survey? |
| A |
Approximately, 4800 samples were taken in seven provinces during
the late summer of 2005. All provincial testing should be complete in
November. |
| Q |
What were the preliminary results? |
| A |
Preliminary results have found H5 virus in both Quebec and
Manitoba in a small number of samples. Preliminary testing does not determine
the sub-type (the N-Type), which requires further testing and can take up to
one week. This testing is underway. |
| Q |
Is the finding of avian influenza a serious
situation? |
| A |
There are a vast number of avian influenza viruses continuously
circulating within the wild bird population. The current concerns regarding
avian influenza and a linkage to human disease are related to a very rare H and
N subtype combination, H5N1, which has caused high mortality in wild birds and
domestic poultry elsewhere in the world. There has been no evidence of such a
situation in either the wild birds or poultry populations in Canada. |
| Q |
What is the likelihood of this being H5N1? |
| A |
The presence of H5N1 is associated with high mortality of the
birds in the vicinity of any confirmed positives. The birds from which the
samples were taken were healthy, and there are currently no reports of die off
of wildfowl in North America. This would lead us to believe we are not dealing
with H5N1. H5 and other subtypes of avian influenza are a natural part of the
worldwide bird population. Findings of avian influenza and H5's are neither
surprising nor new. |
| Q |
What will you do if this is H5N1? |
| A |
A comprehensive plan is already in place. We would immediately
intensify testing of wild birds in the area. All commercial poultry farms in
the vicinity would be tested for the presence of the disease. Any flocks
exhibiting symptoms or testing positive would be quarantined and depopulated.
We would work with industry to establish strong biosecurity measures to prevent
any movement of the virus into the commercial sector. We would also work
jointly with our public health counterparts to ensure appropriate human health
measures were implemented. |
| Q |
What are you doing in the meantime? |
| A |
We are increasing surveillance of non-migratory birds in the
vicinity of the regions from which the positive birds were sampled. We are
issuing a communiqué to all poultry producers reminding them of the need
for strict biosecurity controls within their operations. We are working with
provinces to review records of poultry flocks with a view to identifying any
unusual patterns of disease that may be present. Furthermore, we will be
increasing testing in abattoirs in the area where the positives were
found. |
| Q |
What will you do if tests are
inconclusive? |
| A |
We will know that we have an H5 without its subtype. This is in
reality not a cause of concern in the absence of other indicators. However,
further testing to both type and subtype will be done in both the wild and
commercial poultry sectors. |
| Q |
Is it safe to eat poultry or wild birds in
Canada? |
| A |
Yes. It is not necessary to take sanitary precautions beyond
those normally undertaken when handling or cooking poultry or
other products. |
| Q |
Will this affect Canada’s trade status with
respect to poultry products? |
| A |
The standards for safe trade, which protect animal and human
health, established by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) recognize
that the wild bird populations of all countries will carry some form of
influenza viruses. As a result, differentiation is made between reporting of
findings in migratory birds and those in domestic poultry. Therefore, it would
not be expected that trade would be restricted.
As recently as last week, the United Nations issued a reminder to all
countries to base their decisions on science and not to take inappropriate
actions that would serve as a deterrent for countries to conduct
surveillance.
|
| Q |
Why is this a public issue at this time? |
| A |
This is due to an awareness of worldwide attention and concern
related to the H5N1 avian influenza in South East Asia and Eastern Europe. This
strain has been linked to a limited number of human illnesses. We recognize
that avian influenza is an issue of concern for many Canadians, and therefore,
it was felt that transparency and sharing of information as it becomes
available was appropriate. |
