Announcement

**Treyfish** · November 24, 2010, 02:03 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- type not determined yet

Bird flu found at Manitoba farm

By LAURA PAYTON, Parliamentary Bureau
Last Updated: November 24, 2010 12:14pm

OTTAWA ? A Manitoba turkey is infected with a confirmed case of bird flu, QMI Agency has learned.

Canadian officials testing birds at the farm, just outside Winnipeg, are still trying to determine what strain of flu it is and whether it's the potentially dangerous H5N1 strain, but the flock will have to be destroyed to try to prevent it from spreading.
Federal officials are trying to trace where the virus came from, looking at movement of birds and equipment to and from the farm, said a spokesman from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
?We are doing some further testing to determine the specific subtype and severity of this virus,? said Guy Gravelle, adding it's not likely as severe as other cases around the world have been.
?Analysis to date suggests this is likely a low-pathogenic virus,? he said

http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/cana.../16296041.html

**Treyfish** · November 24, 2010, 02:35 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- type not determined yet

Province addressing concerns about avian flu outbreak

By: Staff Writer
Posted: 24/11/2010 1:11 PM | Comments: 0

[IMG]http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/240*240/flu.10253002H2573195.jpg[/IMG]

Enlarge Image
Officials work outside a barn at a farm in Abbotsford, B.C., Jan. 26, 2009, where avian flu was found. (WARD PERRIN / POSTMEDIA NEWS ARCHIVES)

WINNIPEG ? The province is holding a news conference this afternoon to deal with concerns there has been an outbreak of avian flu at a Manitoba farm.
One media report says the case involves a Manitoba turkey infected with a confirmed case of bird flu at a farm outside Winnipeg.
Officials are still trying to determine what strain of flu it is and whether it's the potentially dangerous H5N1 strain. The flock is to be destroyed.
The virus rarely affects humans unless they come into close contact with infected birds.
The discovery comes almost two months after Manitoba required all livestock and poultry producers to register their farms to help authorities quickly deal with animal and public health emergencies. and even natural disasters, such as flooding.
The initiative, which is being replicated in other provinces, is also seen as a key component in developing a national food traceability program that will assure wary consumers -- here and abroad -- that what they eat is safe.
A estimated 20,000 farm owners and operators have to supply their legal land location and emergency contact information as well as the types of animals they keep on their property. Other businesses that handle animals, from hatcheries and rendering plants to petting zoos and veterinary hospitals, will also have to register their premises.
One of the program's primary benefits will be to allow authorities to act quickly to limit the scope and harm from a serious animal disease outbreak. In the case of avian flu, for instance, officials would immediately be able to pinpoint the location of all the province's poultry operations. An outbreak in British Columbia in 2004 forced the destruction of flocks on 1,000 commercial and 'backyard' farms.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/bre...110435129.html

**Treyfish** · November 24, 2010, 03:08 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- type not determined yet

Manitoba Turkey Farm Tests Positive For Bird Flu

CJOB News Team reporting
11/24/2010

A Manitoba turkey-breeding operation has tested positive for a strain of bird flu. Working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Manitoba Agriculture has quarantined a farm. But they're not saying specifically where, just north of Winnipeg. Officials however say there is no evidence this is the Asian strain of H5N1 influenza, and there's been no human illness. Workers at the farm are being given "anti-virals" as a precaution. Both levels of government want you to know the human consumption of turkey products continues to be safe

http://www.cjob.com/News/Local/Story.aspx?ID=1317020

**Giuseppe** · November 24, 2010, 03:32 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- type not determined yet

Canada, Turkeys in RM of Rockwood test positive for form of bird flu, officials believe strain is non-deadly (CTV, 11/24/10)

[Source: CTV, <cite cite="http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101124/wpg_bird_flu_101124/20101124/?hub=WinnipegHome">CTV Winnipeg- Turkeys in RM of Rockwood test positive for form of bird flu, officials believe strain is non-deadly - CTV News</cite>. 11/24/10.]

Turkeys in RM of Rockwood test positive for form of bird flu, officials believe strain is non-deadly

Officials have not yet said how many of the animals tested positive for an H5 strain of bird flu.

Updated: Wed Nov. 24 2010 14:19:36
ctvwinnipeg.ca

Provincial and federal officials have quarantined a turkey farm in the RM of Rockwood.

Some turkeys have tested positive for an H5 strain of bird flu, but there is no evidence it is the deadly form known as the Asian strain of the H5N1 influenza, said provincial officials.

There has been no indication of human illness.

Workers at the turkey operation are, however, being contacted and offered preventive anti-viral medication.

(...)
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**Treyfish** · November 24, 2010, 03:55 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- H5, low pathogenic strain suspected

The case was discovered on a breeding farm for turkeys in the Rural Municipality of Rockwood just north of Winnipeg in the last 24 hours. The farm is currently under quarantine, according to Manitoba Health officials.
Officials said turkeys on the farm have been laying fewer eggs than normal...

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/st...toba-farm.html

**cartski** · November 24, 2010, 05:46 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- H5, low pathogenic strain suspected

Avian influenza confirmed in ManitobaNovember 24, 2010: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of an avian influenza virus in a commercial poultry operation in the Rural Municipality of Rockwood, Manitoba.

Further testing is underway to determine the precise subtype and pathogenicity of the virus. Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds. Clinical assessment and laboratory analysis to date suggests this is likely a low pathogenic virus.

Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. Avian influenza rarely affects humans, unless they are of specific types and there has been close contact with infected birds.

All birds on the infected premises will be humanely euthanized and disposed of, in accordance with provincial environmental regulations and internationally accepted disease control guidelines. Once all birds have been removed, the CFIA will oversee the cleaning and disinfecting of the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools to eliminate any infectious material that may remain.

The CFIA is conducting a thorough epidemiological investigation, including tracing any recent movement of birds, bird products and equipment onto and off of the infected property. To limit any potential virus spread, the CFIA is also applying restrictions on the movement of poultry and poultry products within three kilometres of the infected premises.

Animal health and public health authorities from the Province of Manitoba, local poultry specialists and industry are actively collaborating on the response to avian influenza in the Manitoba poultry operation, and in supporting the producer.

All poultry owners are urged to take an active role in protecting their flocks. This includes employing strict biosecurity measures on their property and immediately reporting sick or dead birds to their veterinarian or the nearest CFIA office. Further information on biosecurity is available on the CFIA website at www.inspection.gc.ca/biosecurity.

The CFIA is notifying the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and international trading partners of this situation.

New information will be provided to the public as it becomes available.

For more information

Error 404 page not found - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2010/20101124e.shtml

**cartski** · November 24, 2010, 06:03 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- H5, low pathogenic strain suspected

A small map with the RM of Rockwood:

Redirect Notice

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gov.mb.ca/ia/images/capitalmap2.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.gov.mb.ca/ia/capreg/index.html&usg=__WS0ShfuImuQHKDUqahhayxFF-bo=&h=427&w=450&sz=60&hl=en&start=35&zoom=1&tbnid=hT1OM6Zue3YXFM:&tbnh=121&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmunicipalities%2BManitoba%26start%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1

Of note is the town of Stony Mountain - which contain a federal penitentiary and an adjacent minimum security facility:

404 - File or directory not found.

http://www.wsd1.org/sargentpark/Heritage2002/mulitgrade/040/smp_page1.htm

However, the RM of Rockwood is huge, and there's no indication of a link between the outbreak and the prison.

J.

**Treyfish** · November 24, 2010, 09:36 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- H5, low pathogenic strain suspected

Media Advisory: Experts Availble to Speak About Avian Flu and Disease Spread

by: University of Manitoba | Nov 24th, 2010

Researchers from the University of Manitoba can speak to media about the recent case of the H5 strain of bird flu found at a turkey-breeding operation in Manitoba.

Dr. J.C. Rodriguez-Lecompte is an Assistant Professor of Avian Immunology in the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Science.

Research areas: immunocompetence and disease resistance; strategies for control of immunosuppressive diseases of poultry; innate immunity; efficiency of DNA vaccines
Contact: 204-474-8056 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 204-474-8056 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (jc_rodriguez-lecompte@umanitoba.ca) He is available after 3:30 p.m. local time on Nov. 24, 2010

Dr. Abba Gumel is a Professor of Mathematics in the Faculty of Science.

Research areas: Develop and test mathematical models to track the spread of diseases like AIDS or H1N1 and determines how best to control an outbreak by using methods like quarantine, vaccination and awareness campaigns.
Contact: 204-474-7486 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 204-474-7486 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (gumelab@cc.umanitoba.ca)

Dr. Ethan Rubinstein isHead, Section of Adult Infectious Diseases, and Internal Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine

Research Areas: etiology of disease, evaluation of H1N1 immunization of aboriginal populations
Contact: 204-298-0120 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 204-298-0120 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (rubinste@cc.umanitoba.ca) He is available to speak starting on Nov. 25, 2010

http://www.canadaviews.ca/2010/11/24...isease-spread/
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**Giuseppe** · November 25, 2010, 12:49 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm- H5, low pathogenic strain suspected

Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Canada (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 11/25/10, edited)

[Source: OIE, full page: <cite cite="http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=9973" >WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database</cite>. Edited.]

Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Canada

Information received on 25/11/2010 from Dr Brian Evans, Chief Food Safety Officer/Chief Veterinary Officer, Office of the President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OTTAWA, Canada

Summary
- Report type Immediate notification
- Start date 17/11/2010
- Date of first confirmation of the event 23/11/2010
- Report date 24/11/2010
- Date submitted to OIE 25/11/2010
- Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
- Date of previous occurrence 11/03/2009
- Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
- Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
- Serotype H5N2
- Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
- This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks
- Outbreak 1 (NAI-2010-MB-001) - Rockwood municipality, MANITOBA
  - Date of start of the outbreak 17/11/2010
  - Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
  - Epidemiological unit Farm
  - Affected animals: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
    - Birds - 7400 - 3000 - 0 - 0 - 0
  - Affected Population:
    - Turkey breeders farm, with four barns on site.
    - Barn 1 is empty, barn 2 contains 600 toms (approx.), barn 3 contains 3,000 hens (approx.) and barn 4 contains 3,800 hens (approx.).
    - The hens in both barn 3 and 4 are 44 weeks old and were lethargic with a 45% decrease in egg production but the egg production has improved since the start of the event.
    - No respiratory disease was observed.
    - The mortality in the flock has not increased.

Summary of outbreaks
- Total outbreaks: 1
- Outbreak statistics: Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
  - Birds - 40.54% - 0.00% - 0.00% - 0.00%
  - * Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology
- Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  - Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments
- This is the first outbreak of Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI) detected in the province of Manitoba.
- The farm has been quarantined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and investigation will be conducted in compliance with the Canada's Notifiable Avian Influenza Hazard Specific Plan.
- A stamping out policy will be applied.
- Preliminary results from the National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg indicate the presence of a H5N2 subtype avian influenza virus (PCR).
- Sequence analysis of the PCR products indicates that the cleavage site is consistent with low pathogenic avian influenza virus H5.
- Closest matches (99% identity) in Genbank are to North American H5N2 viruses from wild birds.
- Virus isolation is underway and additional testing is to come, including the intravenous pathogenicity index test.
- NAI surveillance has been in place in domestic poultry in Canada for many years and this outbreak is limited to the province of Manitoba.
- Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department:
  - H5 and H7 avian influenza in its low pathogenic form in poultry is a notifiable disease as per Chapter 10.4. on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2010).

Control measures
- Measures applied
  - Quarantine
  - Movement control inside the country
  - Screening
  - Vaccination prohibited
  - No treatment of affected animals
- Measures to be applied
  - Stamping out
  - Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)

Diagnostic test results
- Laboratory name and type: Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Veterinary Diagnostic Services (Local laboratory)
  - Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
    - Birds - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) - 23/11/2010 - Positive
- Laboratory name and type CFIA - National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases (National laboratory)
  - Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
    - Birds - nucleotide sequencing - 24/11/2010 - Positive
    - Birds - real-time PCR - 24/11/2010 - Positive

Future Reporting
- The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

(...)
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**Shiloh** · November 25, 2010, 04:10 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm - low pathogenic H5N2 north-american strain (OIE)

Source: http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/mani.../16315176.html

No human risk from MB. bird flu: doc
By JASON HALSTEAD, Winnipeg Sun
Last Updated: November 25, 2010 2:36pm

The recent outbreak of bird flu on a Manitoba farm needs not dissuade consumers from buying turkeys.

That's the message a trio of federal and provincial officials put out Thursday in the wake of the discovery of what has now been identified as low pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza at a commercial turkey operation in the RM of Rockwood north of Winnipeg a day earlier...

**gsgs** · November 26, 2010, 02:00 AM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm - low pathogenic H5N2 north-american strain (OIE)

> Closest matches (99% identity) in Genbank are to
> North American H5N2 viruses from wild birds.

2007/11/10 A/American green-winged teal/California/HKWF609/2007(H5N2)
2007/09/09 A/northern pintail/California/44345-820/2007(H5N2)
2007/08/18 A/blue-winged teal/Saskatchewan/22542/2007(H5N2)
2007 A/environment/New York/494227/2007(H5N2)
2007 A/yellow-headed Amazon/California/500658/2007(H5N2)
2007 A/white front goose/Alaska/477003/2007(H5N2)
2007 A/waterfowl/Colorado/476466/2007(H5N2)
2007 A/quail/New York/501360/2007(H5N2)
2007 A/northern pintail/Florida/480645-5/2007(H5N2)
2007 A/mallard/Louisiana/476670-4/2007(H5N2)
A/gadwall/California/490899/2007(
A/duck/Ohio/470655/2007
(A/duck/New York/504372/2007(H5N2
A/Canada goose/New York/475813-2/2007(H5N2
A/Muscovy duck/New York/62095-1/2006(H5N2))
A/wild bird/Wisconsin/439436/2006(H5N2))
A/turkey/New York/465977/2006(H5N2))

etc.

**LaMenchos** · November 26, 2010, 09:02 AM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm - low pathogenic H5N2 north-american strain (OIE)

Bird flu found at Manitoba farm

Last Updated: November 24, 2010 9:25pm

WINNIPEG
[...]
Provincial officials stressed Wednesday that there is no evidence this is the potentially dangerous Asian H5N1 strain.[...]
Kettner said the risk of impact on humans is very low at this time.
There are no human illnesses associated with the infected poultry or linked to the farm, he said.
Manitoba's chief veterinary officer, Wayne Lees, said there is no need to worry about infected meat getting into the food supply, as the farm is an egg-producing operation whose eggs are shipped to turkey growers. Turkeys from the farm are not sold as food.
The outbreak was discovered after the egg production of several turkeys decreased - a sign of influenza. The birds were tested, and the flu was detected. Results were determined Tuesday.
Officials said it's highly unlikely that the strain is the deadly H5N1, as it has never appeared in North America, but preventative action is being taken nonetheless.
"We're being cautious, because we're in an atmosphere of change and we can't predict what this ... strain will be," Kettner said. "We have to complete the testing to establish that this isn't the first (H5N1 case)."
[...]
The CFIA will now be tracing eggs from the farm, and will attempt to find where the outbreak originated - a difficult task.[...]
Workers at the turkey farm are being offered anti-viral medication as a precaution.

Full text: http://www.torontosun.com/news/canad.../16296011.html

**Giuseppe** · December 2, 2010, 10:59 AM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm - low pathogenic H5N2 north-american strain (OIE)

Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Canada (WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database, 12/02/10, edited)

[Source: OIE, full text: <cite cite="http://www.oie.int/wahis/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=10003 ">WAHID Interface - OIE World Animal Health Information Database</cite>. Edited.]

Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Canada

Information received on 01/12/2010 from Dr Brian Evans, Chief Food Safety Officer/Chief Veterinary Officer, Office of the President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OTTAWA, Canada

Summary
- Report type Follow-up report No. 1
- Start date 17/11/2010
- Date of first confirmation of the event 23/11/2010
- Report date 01/12/2010
- Date submitted to OIE 01/12/2010
- Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
- Date of previous occurrence 11/03/2009
- Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
- Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
- Serotype H5N2
- Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
- This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
- Related reports
  - Immediate notification (24/11/2010)
  - Follow-up report No. 1 (01/12/2010)

Outbreaks
- There are no new outbreaks in this report

Epidemiology
- Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  - Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments
- All birds at the infected farm (NAI-2010-MB-001) have been humanely destroyed under the supervision of the CFIA on 28 November 2010.
- Disposal of carcasses has begun and on-farm cleaning and disinfection preparation continues.
- Trace in / trace out investigations are underway and there's no indication of the presence of notifiable avian influenza (NAI) so far at other premises.
- A NAI virus was isolated by the NCFAD from samples collected at the infected premises. Full length sequencing of the virus was performed at the NCFAD and results confirm the presence of a low pathogenic H5N2 NAI virus.
- IVPI test is underway with results expected next week.

Control measures
- Measures applied
  - Stamping out
  - Quarantine
  - Movement control inside the country
  - Screening
  - Vaccination prohibited
  - No treatment of affected animals
- Measures to be applied
  - Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)

Diagnostic test results
- Laboratory name and type CFIA - National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases (NCFAD) (National laboratory)
  - Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
    - Birds - intravenous pathogenicity index (IVPI) test - Pending
    - Birds - virus isolation - 26/11/2010 - Positive

Future Reporting
- The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

-
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**Shiloh** · December 3, 2010, 02:19 PM

Re: Bird flu found at Manitoba farm - low pathogenic H5N2 north-american strain (OIE)

Source: http://www.country-guide.ca/West/iss...issue=12032010

Man. bird flu quarantine widens, hatchery destocked
Staff
12/3/2010 12:07:00 PM

...Another farm in Manitoba's southern Interlake region has been added to a list of quarantined properties following the appearance of low-grade avian flu on a neighbouring turkey farm...

...However, CFIA emphasized Thursday, the added quarantine "does not mean the disease is spreading," nor that it's appeared anywhere other than the one Rockwood turkey farm where it was confirmed last week.