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POULTRY FARMS IN B.C. FRASER VALLEY DECLARED FREE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

Related Pages: 2005-12-10 | 2005-11-20 | 2005-11-18

ABBOTSFORD, December 10, 2005 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands today declared Fraser Valley poultry farms in two surveillance zones to be free of avian influenza after three rounds of weekly testing detected no further evidence of infection. The surveillance zones and all related quarantines affecting 80 premises have been removed.

The CFIA quarantined the premises as a precautionary measure following the detection of a North American low-pathogenic avian influenza virus on two duck farms from which samples were taken on November 18. All commercial poultry farms within five kilometres of the infected premises were placed under surveillance and birds on each were tested to ensure there were no additional infected farms. Consistent with international guidelines, the Agency has declared the zones to be disease free following 21 days of negative test results.

The lifting of the quarantine means that the normal movement of commercial poultry and poultry products on and off farms in the surveillance zones can be resumed. The two premises on which virus was detected remain under quarantine until the Agency verifies that cleaning and disinfection have been completed.

Avian influenza virus spreads quickly within commercial bird populations. The containment of this occurrence to two duck farms – with no H5 positive results in any of the thousands of chicken samples tested - reflects the industry's commitment to biosecurity and cooperation with the CFIA's avian influenza control measures. The effectiveness of the response operation was also enhanced by the close collaboration of industry and the federal and provincial governments at the policy, laboratory and field levels.

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For information:

• Main Page - Avian Influenza