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No Additional Evidence of Avian Influenza Found in P.E.I. Backyard Flock

OTTAWA, June 20, 2006 - Testing by Canada’s avian influenza (AI) reference laboratory in Winnipeg has found no additional evidence of AI virus in birds from a small backyard flock in western Prince Edward Island.

Samples from the flock, including an index bird, were sent to the Winnipeg lab for confirmatory testing consistent with Canada’s procedures for preliminary findings of H5/H7 AI virus in poultry. All birds tested negative on serological and virological tests.

The fact that the H5 virus was not detected in testing at the Winnipeg lab, along with the absence of clinical signs of disease in the birds depopulated in the flock, indicates that only a very small amount of low pathogenicity virus may have been present in the index bird. A finding of incidental contamination in the index bird would not be unexpected given that it spent time out of doors and other birds on the farm were confirmed to have co-mingled with wild migratory birds which commonly carry AI viruses.

Canada’s AI response protocols, agreed to by the federal and provincial governments, require that disease control measures be immediately implemented upon preliminary findings of an H5 or H7 virus since these subtypes have the potential to mutate into highly pathogenic forms.

The Winnipeg lab will attempt to grow virus from samples from the index bird in order to characterize the virus. This process will take up to two weeks. Ultimately, it may not be possible to gain further information about the virus. This situation is not unusual as was evidenced in the 2005 survey of AI in wild birds.

Given the initial finding of H5, a quarantine on the index premises will be maintained until test results are complete consistent with Canada’s precautionary approach and guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

Birds from a second premises, that had frequent contacts with the index premises, were also tested as a precautionary measure and all results were negative. A quarantine that had been placed on this second premises has been released.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will report new information regarding this situation as it becomes available. The CFIA advises bird owners to routinely practice strict biosecurity to protect their birds from AI and other threats. For additional information on avian influenza, visit the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca

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For additional information, contact:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations
(613) 228-6682

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