Canada Launches 2006 Wild Bird Survey for Avian Influenza

Winnipeg, May 18, 2006 – Plans for Canada's Inter-agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey 2006 were announced today by representatives of Environment Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre. The survey will provide an early warning for the possible entry of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) into Canada.

As was the case in 2005, the survey partners expect to find a variety of AI viruses, most of which commonly circulate in wild birds with little or no impact on their health or the health of other animals. The 2006 survey, which will be carried out through the spring, summer and fall, will enable animal and public health authorities to better understand the presence and characteristics of typical strains of AI in North America's wild bird population.

Survey partners are particularly interested in AI viruses that are or have the potential to become highly pathogenic. These viruses, which include the H5 and H7 subtypes, can cause illness and death in poultry. The highly pathogenic H5N1 AI virus strain currently circulating in Asia, Africa and Europe has demonstrated the ability to affect poultry and wild birds, as well as humans and other mammalian species.

Canada is monitoring global AI developments very closely, particularly the spread of the Asian H5N1 strain. Recognizing that better understanding of viruses and their exchange, as well as early detection, represent Canada's first line of defence in protecting animal and human health, the 2006 survey was identified as a priority in the 2006 Federal Budget and will incorporate a number of enhancements.

Similar to the 2005 survey, this year's survey will sample migratory birds along main migratory routes in Canada; however, it will place a greater focus in the north Atlantic region, which hosts birds that might come into contact with birds from Europe where the Asian H5N1 strain has been found in several countries. This component will include sampling in Iceland, which hosts migratory birds from both North America and Europe. Canada is coordinating its survey approach with the United States, which has announced plans to conduct extensive surveillance along the Pacific Flyway, which intersects with Asian migratory routes.

The 2006 Canadian survey will include expanded testing of dead birds. This portion of the survey will begin in Southern Canada in mid-summer; dead birds found prior to this would not have been exposed to potential sources of foreign avian influenza. As the collection period for dead birds nears, the Government of Canada will provide the public with information on how to proceed should a dead bird be found.

Survey results will be reported to Canadians as they are confirmed and will be available at the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre Web site at http://wildlife1.usask.ca/.

Canada's Inter-agency Wild Bird Influenza Survey 2006 is a joint effort involving the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial governments, the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, non-governmental organizations, academia and the Government of Iceland.

Canada has developed strategies to respond to all anticipated AI findings in wild bird populations. In the case of a finding of a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 in wild birds, a comprehensive response strategy would be implemented, including the establishment of quarantine zones with movement restrictions on commercial poultry and poultry products within 3km of the finding and enhanced surveillance in commercial poultry in a 10km zone.

Surveillance in wild birds and domestic poultry is one of a series of AI prevention and preparedness initiatives the Government of Canada is implementing in partnership with provincial/territorial governments, industry and animal and public health practitioners.

Related Documents:

• Avian Influenza
• Pandemic Influenza

For further information, please contact:

You can call CCWHC at 1-866-544-4744 for further information on the dead bird survey; however, public participation is not required at this time.