Avian Influenza - Events and News
CFIA News
October 31, 2007
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has lifted most remaining
movement restrictions on birds and bird products in Saskatchewan. The move
follows extensive testing of birds within the province. No additional cases of
avian influenza were found. This brings an official end to the avian influenza
response operation, which began on September 27, 2007.
- Bird owners in Saskatchewan may now freely move any live birds, including
pets. As well, poultry products, such as meat and eggs, can also be moved
without restriction. However, some countries have imposed import restrictions
that are being addressed on a case-by-case basis.
October 18, 2007
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed the humane depopulation and
burial of all birds from the infected farm. The removal and burial of litter from the
barns is also complete.
- The normal decomposition associated with burial effectively kills the avian influenza
(AI) virus and meets all government requirements for the protection of soil, water, air
and human health.
- Movement of live birds, bird products, or things that may have come in contact with
birds could spread the AI virus. As a precaution, movement restrictions on these items
remain in place for the entire Province of Saskatchewan and additional restrictions exist
for movement within the three-kilometre and 10-kilometre regions around the infected farm.
- Testing continues of birds within the three-kilometre region and commercial flocks in
the 10-kilometre region. In order to effectively demonstrate disease freedom, a
representative sample of birds in commercial poultry flocks in the remainder of the
province will also be tested. To date, all tests have been negative for the AI virus.
- The movement control restrictions will be removed after testing confirms no further
infection is present in area birds.
October 3, 2007
- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed the humane depopulation of
birds on the farm in Saskatchewan where highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza was
detected last week.
- The CFIA will continue monitoring of bird health and sampling of premises located within
10 kilometres of the infected farm. These activities will continue for a period of 21
days.
September 30, 2007
- Restrictions on the movement of birds, bird products and equipment that may have come in
contact with birds are in place in the Province of Saskatchewan. These restrictions are
intended to prevent the spread of avian influenza. As outlined below, general restrictions
apply to the entire province, and additional restrictions are in place within regions
established around the location where avian influenza infection was detected.
September 29, 2007
- The CFIA began humane depopulation of birds on the affected farm on September 28.
- Medical staff and regional animal welfare representatives will be on site throughout the
disease control operations.
- All birds will be disposed of in accordance with provincial environmental regulations
and internationally accepted disease control and biocontainment guidelines.
- As a precaution, one backyard flock located in the three-kilometre region around the
index farm has also been placed under quarantine measures. This is not a commercial
operation. There have no signs of illness in the flock and test results from samples taken
from this flock will determine next steps.
- Surveillance of premises within the three-kilometre and 10-kilometre regions around the
index farm is underway.
- Although there has been limited movement on or off the index farm, the CFIA is
conducting a comprehensive trace-out investigation associated with all recent movement of
birds, bird products, vehicles or equipment.
- Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry and poultry
products are properly handled and cooked.
- The CFIA's actions are consistent with internationally recognized animal health
guidelines and the CFIA’s established avian influenza response protocols.
- The CFIA is collaborating with the Province of Saskatchewan, industry, local
authorities, health officials and the producer in this response effort.
September 27, 2007
- Highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza has been detected in a commercial poultry
operation in Saskatchewan, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced today.
This virus is not the same as the strain circulating in Asia, Africa and Europe, which has
been associated with human illness. H7N3 is not normally associated with serious human
illness.
- All birds on the infected premises will be humanely euthanized and disposed of in
accordance with provincial regulations and internationally accepted disease control
guidelines
- News Release - Avian Influenza
Detected in Saskatchewan
- News Release - Statement from
the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
August 21 , 2007
- Announced at the August 2007 Security and Prosperity Partnership Leaders' Summit, the
North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza outlines how Canada, Mexico and the
United States intend to work together to combat an outbreak of avian influenza or an
influenza pandemic in North America.
July 19, 2007
June 8, 2007
- Canada’s third annual wild bird survey for avian influenza survey will include
sampling of live birds during the spring, summer and fall and continued year-round
sampling of dead birds. The survey is intended to provide early detection of highly
pathogenic AI in Canada and determine the presence and characteristics of the AI strains
in North America’s wild bird population.
- News Release - Canada’s
Third Annual Wild Bird Survey for Avian Influenza is Underway
February 9, 2007
December 20, 2006
- Canada’s 2006 wild bird survey for avian influenza (AI) has now sampled and tested
more than 12,000 birds with no findings of highly pathogenic strains of AI, including the
Asian strain of H5N1.
- Similar to the first survey conducted in 2005, this year’s survey has found various
AI subtypes including H5 subtypes, which, along with H7 subtypes, are of particular
interest to animal health practitioners due to their potential to be highly pathogenic, or
cause illness and death, in domestic poultry. Finding avian influenza viruses in wild
birds is not unexpected. Influenza viruses commonly circulate in wild birds with little or
no impact on the health of the birds or other species.
- Final survey results are expected to be available by February 2007.
- For additional information about the survey and a summary of results visit the Canadian
Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC) website at: http://wildlife1.usask.ca/.
September 13, 2006
July 5, 2006
- Testing by Canada’s avian influenza (AI) reference laboratory in Winnipeg of birds
from a small backyard flock in western Prince Edward Island has been completed with no
evidence of H5 avian influenza virus found in the birds. Disease control measures had been
implemented on and around the premises which was home to the flock on June 16, 2006 after
preliminary testing of samples from one gosling found evidence of an H5 virus.
- Samples from the flock 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. Attempts to grow virus from
samples from the gosling found no further evidence of virus. The testing is now complete.
A quarantine which was placed on the premises on June 16 was formally released on July 5.
June 19, 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 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.
June 19, 2006
- Confirmation of pathogenicity and characterization of the virus is underway at CFIA's
National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg. There is no evidence suggesting
that we are dealing with the H5N1 strain currently in Asia and other countries. That virus
is marked by very high mortality in birds, which was not observed in this particular
situation.
- This detection represents an animal health concern only. Public health officials are
monitoring the situation closely and will advise on public health implications and take
appropriate measures where necessary.
- Disease response plans consistent with a non-commercial finding have been activated in
collaboration with the Government of Prince Edward Island and the poultry industry.
- Consistent with its AI surveillance protocols, the CFIA has quarantined and is testing
birds on a second premises which is adjacent to the index premises. There has been no
evidence of AI in the birds on this second premises, but there has been regular movement
of people and possibly animals between the two premises. It is standard procedure for CFIA
to investigate frequent contact premises.
- Preliminary results should be available in the next few days.
June 16, 2006
- As a precautionary measure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration
with the Government of Prince Edward Island, has implemented disease control measures in
and around a premises in western Prince Edward Island where a young goose in a backyard
flock tested positive for an avian influenza virus. It is important to note that this
finding does not indicate a new threat to human health.
- The virus was determined to be an H5 subtype in testing conducted by the Atlantic
Veterinary College laboratory in Charlottetown. The sample has been sent to the National
Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) in Winnipeg for further testing to confirm its
strain and pathogenicity. The NCFAD is Canada’s national reference laboratory for
avian influenza. Testing is being conducted on a priority basis, results will be
communicated as soon as they are available.
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.
April 25, 2006
March 8, 2006
Imported birds on two of eight Quebec farms have now been released from a
standard 30-day quarantine which is generally applied to animals imported into Canada. The
quarantines on the remaining birds are expected to be released in the coming weeks
provided there is no change in their health status. These quarantines are a routine
requirement for imported birds to assure animal health authorities that birds are free of
foreign animal diseases such as Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza.
The birds, which were imported from France, were tested as a
precautionary measure after France confirmed a finding of highly pathogenic Avian
Influenza H5N1 on a turkey farm in the Department (district) of Ain. All tests were
negative for the disease.
March 2, 2006
Testing of birds on eight Quebec farms has confirmed that all of the
birds are free of avian influenza.
The birds, which had been imported from France, were tested as a
precautionary measure after France confirmed a finding of highly pathogenic avian
influenza H5N1 on a Turkey farm in the Department (district) of Ain.
The birds will remain under a standard 30-day quarantine which is
generally applied to animals imported into Canada. Release of the quarantines is scheduled
to begin in the next few days.
March 1, 2006
Consistent with its commitment to the protection of animal and public
health, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implemented import restrictions
following the confirmation of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza on a turkey farm in
France.
The importation of live birds and bird products from France has been
suspended, with the exception of commercially sterile processed products.
The CFIA prohibits imports of poultry and poultry products from countries
not recognized as free of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the commercial poultry
sector. Commercially sterile processed products are permitted.
Canada does not permit the importation of pet birds from countries found
positive for the highly pathogenic, Asian strain of H5N1 influenza.
These actions are part of a broader strategy of vigilance to reduce the
potential for highly pathogenic avian influenza to enter Canada.
The CFIA has also traced all recent shipments of birds and bird products
imported from France. It has been confirmed that there have been no recent imports to
Canada from the Department of Ain, France, where the H5N1 was detected on February 23,
2006, nor any areas close to it.
Any hatching eggs or birds from France are required to undergo a 30-day
quarantine period in Canada to monitor for poultry diseases. This is a standard practice
for most animal imports that has been in place for decades. There are eight farms in
Quebec that have recently imported from France and these quarantines are in place.
As an extra precaution, the CFIA is monitoring the health status of these
birds on a daily basis and they are being tested. Preliminary results to date are all
negative. There has been no indication of illness in these birds to date.
The CFIA continues to actively monitor and analyse the progression of
avian influenza occurrences at the international level and to take actions consistent with
recommendations of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
The following Web links provide up to date news and information from the Government of
Canada on avian influenza (AI).
Public
Health Agency of Canada - Avian Influenza
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/avian_e.html
Health
Canada - Influenza
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dc-ma/influenza/index_e.html
Public
Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (Safe Canada)
http://www.safecanada.ca/link_e.asp?category=10&topic=170
Foreign
Affairs Canada
http://www.fac-aec.gc.ca/avianflu-en.asp
Canadian
Wildlife Service - Environment Canada
http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/nwrc-cnrf/default.asp?lang=En&n=8E0044D3-1#2
Provincial
and Territorial Information
http://www.influenza.gc.ca/pt_e.html
The following Web links provide credible, up to date information on the global
situation regarding avian influenza (AI).
World
Organization for Animal Health (OIE) Alerts -
http://www.oie.int/eng/info/en_urgences.htm
World
Health Organization (WHO) Situation Updates Avian Influenza -
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/updates/en/index.html
Science
and Development Network - Bird Flu (SciDevNet) -
http://www.scidev.net/dossiers/index.cfm?fuseaction=dossierItem
&Dossier=24&CFID=9562435&CFTOKEN=23281882
Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) AI Page -
http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/subjects/en/
health/diseases-cards/special_avian.html
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