Québec, Canada - Avian influenza in backyard birds and poultry 2022-2025

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/s...ale-ottawa.php

A possible case in Quebec, reports Ottawa
At least one poultry flock in Quebec is possibly already affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), of the H5N1 subtype, revealed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in a technical briefing Monday.
Updated yesterday at 1:40 p.m.
Ariane Krol The Press

"Over the past two weeks, additional detections have ensued in Ontario and Alberta, and a possible case in Quebec," the document presented by the CFIA said.

Agency officials said they could not comment further while the situation is under investigation.

In Canada, a first farm was affected last December in Newfoundland and Labrador, and others followed in Nova Scotia, Ontario and Alberta...

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[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.journaldequebec.com/2022...irme-au-quebec

A first case of avian influenza confirmed in Quebec
QMI Agency
Wednesday, 13 April 2022 15:57 UPDATE Wednesday, 13 April 2022 15:57

A first case of avian influenza of the H5N1 subtype has been detected in a farm in Saint-Claude, in the Eastern Townships, confirmed the company Canards du Lac Brome.

“Upon confirmation of the case on Tuesday, the company proactively quarantined the site and immediately contacted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) which oversees on-site activities,” the company said via email. press release, Wednesday....

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Company news release -

Translation Google

Confirmation of an isolated case of avian influenza

NEWS PROVIDED BY

Brome Lake Ducks
Apr 13, 2022, 3:31 PM ET

LAC BROME, QC, April 13, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The company Canards du Lac Brome confirms the presence of avian influenza of the H5N1 subtype on the breeding site in Saint-Claude. Upon confirmation of the case on Tuesday, the company proactively quarantined the site and immediately contacted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which oversees activities there.

As a precaution, the company also took the initiative to place its Knowlton breeding site under quarantine.

The management of Canards du Lac Brome works closely with specialists from the CFIA and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec (MAPAQ) to fight against the disease and quickly stem the risk of spread. . Rigorous biosecurity measures have been put in place, such as the cleaning and disinfection of equipment, footwear and vehicle tires, all under the supervision of CFIA staff.

Note also that avian influenza does not represent any food safety issue and that it is not possible to be infected by the virus by consuming cooked poultry. The company points out that all of its products found on store shelves are completely healthy and safe.

Company management will focus on putting the measures in place and working with the CFIA and will not issue any additional comments at this time.

SOURCE Brome Lake Ducks


For further information: Sandrine Gagné, sandrine@morinrp.com

Company Profile
Brome Lake Ducks

https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/confirmation-d-un-cas-isole-d-influenza-aviaire-836815644.html

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Avian flu detected in a second farm in Estrie

Radio Canada
at 1:47 p.m.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirms the presence of avian flu in a second Estrie farm.

The virus was detected in a non-commercial poultry farm in the MRC du Haut-Saint-François, specifies the Agency, without naming the name of the farm for reasons of confidentiality . The infected site has been quarantined, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA recommends other farms in the region increase biosecurity , an email says.

Earlier in the day on Wednesday, the company Canards du Lac Brome also confirmed that avian flu had been detected within its breeding located in Saint-Claude, in the MRC of Val-Saint-François.

As soon as it had confirmation that the disease had affected its livestock, the company quarantined the site and immediately contacted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which oversees activities on site , may -we read in a press release made public at the beginning of the afternoon.

The company also indicates that, as a precaution, its Knowlton breeding site is also quarantined.

The management of Canards du Lac Brome maintains that it works closely with specialists inCanadian Food Inspection AgencyCFIA and the Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) in order to fight against the disease and quickly stem the risk of spread .

The company also ensures that rigorous biosecurity measures have been put in place, such as the cleaning and disinfection of equipment, footwear and vehicle tires, all under the supervision of CFIA staff .

At the start of the week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA had announced that avian flu had made its way to a first poultry farm in Quebec without specifying which one.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA had indicated that avian influenza, commonly known as avian influenza , affects several birds intended for consumption – chickens, turkeys, quails and guinea fowl in particular –, pet birds and wild birds.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency CFIA points out that there is no cure for this disease and that the mortality rate of affected birds is high. Already, more than 260,000 birds have either died or been euthanized domestically to prevent the spread.

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1876336/grippe-aviaire-canards-lac-brome

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Response to detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in Canada 2021-2022

...

Quebec

The CFIA has confirmed the presence of avian influenza type H5 in the following Regional County Municipalites (RCM) in Quebec:

• April 13, 2022 – Haut-Saint-François (non-commercial poultry farm)
• April 12, 2022 – Val-Saint-François (commercial poultry farm)

The infected sites have been placed under quarantine. The CFIA has established movement control measures and is recommending that other farms in the area increase biosecurity.

The CFIA continues to remind all those who raise poultry or own other disease-prone bird species to adopt good biosecurity practices to protect them from infectious animal diseases.

Resources are available for producers and owners of small flocks and pet birds.

Quick facts

• The CFIA reminds poultry producers to remain vigilant and to apply appropriate avian biosecurity measures at all times
• Additional information about avian influenza is available on the CFIA website

...

https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/response-to-detections-of-highly-pathogenic-avian-/eng/1640207916497/1640207916934

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Three cases of avian flu in Quebec

Jean-Francois Desbiens | VAT News| Published on April 14, 2022 at 2:55 PM - Update on April 14, 2022 at 7:47 p.m.


A third case of avian flu was detected Thursday in Quebec in a commercial duck farm in Knowlton, Estrie, after the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) had already confirmed two other cases in the region.

“For the third farm, we are still in a commercial duck farm. So for the moment we have no case in Quebec for chicken or turkey, “said Dr. Manon Racicot, veterinarian for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).


The first infection was detected in one of the henhouses of a poultry farm located in Saint-Claude, where a security guard stood guard Thursday morning.

The second case affects a farmyard owner from Haut-Saint-François and has no direct link with the other two.

“There is no indication that the virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of poultry, game or properly prepared and cooked eggs. You can continue to consume them without fear by taking the usual precautions regarding safe storage, handling and food preparation,” the ministry said in a statement.

The strain of bird flu carried by migrating birds, H5N1 is extremely virulent.

However, avian influenza represents a low risk for the general population. The rare cases where the virus is transmitted to humans are generally associated with close and prolonged contact in a closed environment with infected birds.

The MAPAQ and the Quebec Poultry Disease Control Team (EQCMA) have called on farmed bird owners to "increase their biosecurity measures" and to comply with the Regulation respecting the sanitary conditions of places where birds are kept. captive birds.

"It's a disease that spreads very quickly, so it's to the benefit of growers to let the agency know as soon as possible. They can also benefit from financial compensation if we have to destroy all the livestock,” underlined the federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food, Marie-Claude Bibeau.

Highly pathogenic, the strain of avian influenza H5N1 is too virulent and rapid to carry out massive and preventive screenings.

https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2022/04/...aire-au-quebec

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Bird flu outbreak

"It's not the time to go for a walk in the countryside"

The discovery of an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Canards du Lac Brome facilities in the Eastern Townships has Quebec poultry producers on their toes. While large breeders under supply management advocate tighter controls, small outdoor farms fear becoming scapegoats.

Posted at 12:00 a.m.
ARIANE KROLL
LA PRESSE

“The worry is at its peak. There are producers who asked for psychological help, ”testified the president of the Poultry Breeders of Quebec, Pierre-Luc Leblanc, in a telephone interview Thursday.

This is the first time that a commercial farm has been hit by an avian flu epidemic in Quebec.

And this strain of H5N1, which has caused hundreds of outbreaks on four continents, isn't called “highly pathogenic” for nothing. When a herd is affected, “more than 90% will fall ill, and mortality could reach nearly 100%,” points out Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, professor at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Montreal.

Letting the birds die of the flu is "not a win-win from an animal welfare point of view", so infected flocks like at Canards du Lac Brome are instead euthanized under the supervision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ( CFIA).

The company, which produces more than 2 million ducks a year, confirmed an outbreak at its Saint-Claude site in a press release on Wednesday, but declined to comment. The CFIA confirmed another case in a commercial farm in the MRC of Brome-Missisquoi on Thursday, but at the start of the evening, Canards du Lac Brome had still not indicated whether it was indeed its Knowlton site. she had quarantined “as a precaution”. The Quebec Poultry Disease Control Team (EQCMA) has also drawn an “enhanced biosecurity zone in emergency situations” around Knowlton, recommending that the entire poultry industry avoid driving there. Another case was also confirmed in a small non-commercial farm.

"It's a drama and an incredible financial stress to see your birds die," said Mr. Leblanc, who asked his members to reinforce the application of existing biosecurity measures (change of boots and clothes, disinfection, etc.).

Laboratory closed for Easter

While new outbreaks are added in the province, the laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec (MAPAQ), where the suspect samples are analyzed, is closed for the long Easter holiday, from Friday to Tuesday, La Presse learned .

“The analyzes will be carried out by the CFIA laboratory in Winnipeg,” the ministry confirmed by email Thursday evening.

“I am simply stunned! commented Dr. Vaillancourt. "Controlling this virus is a question of reaction time" and sending the samples to Manitoba "possibly adds a day" before we have the result. “As long as we do not have confirmation, there are several things that do not fall into place,” he underlines. If the flock is indeed infected, “we have birds that are dying for one more day”.

No ride on Sunday

The president of Poultry Breeders asks for his part to avoid visits to the farm during the Easter holiday.

"People in the city, it's not the time to go for a Sunday walk and walk in the countryside," said Mr. Leblanc, recalling that the virus can be transported by vehicle tires.

In cool weather, in untreated water containing organic matter, this virus is very resistant, says Dr. Vaillancourt. “I have just described to you all the ponds in Quebec right now…”

Current models indicate that the probability of contamination will be high at least until mid-June, notes the veterinarian.

In this context, agrotourism, “until the end of June, is not a good idea. Then we'll see how it goes."

Poultry Breeders, a federation of the Union of Agricultural Producers (UPA), says it is aware that consumers like to get their supplies from the farm and that Quebec wants to encourage food self-sufficiency. But "with avian flu, having birds outside in contact with migratory birds may not be the right solution," says Mr. Leblanc, who says he is "in discussion" with MAPAQ.

The Ministry has already intervened “in times of crisis” to request the confinement of the birds, he argues. "We got there, saying, 'What are we doing to protect ourselves?' »

At the Cooperative for Ecological Local Agriculture (CAPE), which brings together more than 200 farms, of which about 80 have poultry production (eggs, chickens, turkeys), it is recalled that members must already apply existing biosanitary measures, including limiting poultry interactions with wild animals, and ensuring there is no contamination of water or food.

"Our concern is that open-air breeders are potentially scapegoats in this story," explains CAPE secretary Léon Bibeau-Mercier, recalling that the reality of open-air or small-scale farming is poorly documented. Would imposing indoor confinement or an open-air mesh roof really reduce the risk, or would it only be imposed as a precautionary measure? he wonders. The possibility of such tightening, “it is sure that it is an additional layer of concern for our farms”.

The MAPAQ did not impose additional measures on Thursday, but reiterated several recommendations to avoid any contact between wild and farmed birds (put a net on the outdoor enclosures, limit access to the farm to authorized people, clean and disinfect motor vehicles before they enter breeding grounds, etc.).

https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2...a-campagne.php

[Shiloh]

Source: https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-.../1640207916934

The CFIA has confirmed the presence of avian influenza type H5 in the following Regional County Municipalities (RCM) in Quebec:

April 14, 2022 – Brome-Missisquoi (poultry flock)
April 13, 2022 – Haut-Saint-François (small flock)
April 12, 2022 – Val-Saint-François (poultry flock)

The infected sites have been placed under quarantine. The CFIA has established movement control measures and is recommending that other farms in the area increase biosecurity.

The CFIA has established Primary Control Zones (PCZ), in the areas where the disease has been identified. The PCZs have been established to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza...

[Shiloh]

Source: https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-.../1640207916934

The CFIA has confirmed the presence of avian influenza type H5 in the following Regional County Municipalities (RCM) in Quebec:

• April 17, 2022 – Les Sources (poultry flock)
• April 14, 2022 – Brome-Missisquoi (poultry flock)
• April 13, 2022 – Haut-Saint-François (small flock)
• April 12, 2022 – Val-Saint-François (poultry flock)

The infected sites have been placed under quarantine. The CFIA has established movement control measures and is recommending that other farms in the area increase biosecurity.

The CFIA has established Primary Control Zones (PCZ), in the areas where the disease has been identified. The PCZs have been established to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza..

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Avian flu H5N1 Already 700,000 farmed birds slaughtered in the country

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, which began infecting farmed birds last December in Canada, has already resulted in the culling of more than 700,000 birds, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said. ) tuesday.

Posted at 5:00 a.m
Ariane Kroll
THE PRESS

Four months after the discovery of the first cases, on December 20, at a non-commercial farm in the Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland, breeders have reached “700,000 birds slaughtered in Canada,” said Dr. Manon Racicot, CFIA veterinarian, in a telephone interview.

In Quebec, the virus was detected on four farms in Estrie in less than a week, from April 12 to 17. The birds to be culled, however, are not all included in the Canadian tally, dated Monday.

[In Quebec], we should have all our positive cases depopulated by the end of the week. In terms of the number of birds, we're in the 100,000s.
- Dr. Manon Racicot

The three infected commercial farms in Quebec all produce duck. Canards du Lac Brome had announced that its Saint-Claude site was affected and that Knowlton was under quarantine, but did not give an update on the latter. The CFIA, which does not publish the names of contaminated farms, confirmed a third commercial farm in the MRC Les Sources on Sunday.

Tracing

At the start of the day on Tuesday, the CFIA had not received any new reports of sick birds from Quebec, “good news”. Other cases could however be added with the tracing carried out from infected farms.

“There are no clinical signs on these farms, which is still a good thing, but we must keep in mind that the duck is a species that does not necessarily show clinical signs of the disease, explains Dr. Racicot. We can still have surprises. »

The fourth infected Quebec farm is a small non-commercial breeding of laying hens, ducks and geese.

In the Shadow of Ontario

When a farm is infected, the CFIA surrounds it with a primary control zone within a radius of at least 10 kilometres, at the heart of which is an infected zone of at least three kilometres. Other farms in these areas are subject to controls to prevent the spread of the virus.

For example, a flock that is free of H5N1, but located within three kilometers of an infected farm, will not be allowed to receive new day-old chicks or ducklings until the infected farm has passed certain stages of decontamination. Farms located within the 10 kilometer zone must obtain permits for certain movements (birds, eggs, meat, etc.).

For the first time on Monday, farms in Quebec found themselves in a control zone created by an outbreak in eastern Ontario, on the Quebec border. Five Quebec production sites under supply management, mostly in the Outaouais, are located in this area from Ontario, the Quebec Poultry Disease Control Team (EQCMA) told us.

In Estrie, six Quebec farms under supply management are located in the control zone of the infected non-commercial farm, around Bury, and another in the Knowlton zone.

These restricted areas are maintained for a “very variable duration, but we are talking about several weeks”, indicates Dr. Racicot.

For the first Ontario farm detected at the end of March, for example, the infected area could be lifted in the coming days. “There would still be a few monitoring steps, but that would at least allow producers in this area to receive day-old birds again and to be able to start their production cycle again. »

Virus sequencing

It is not yet known whether the infected Quebec farms were contaminated by a wild bird or another farm. The answer will come from sequencing done at the CFIA lab in Winnipeg, which will reveal the strain of the virus.

Contamination between two farms has indeed been detected in Ontario and elsewhere in North America, mainly due to the movement of live birds from one site to another. “Poultry is an industry on wheels, so there is a lot of movement,” notes Dr. Racicot.

"The ball is in the court of producers and barnyard owners", emphasizes the veterinarian, recalling the importance of avoiding "all direct and indirect contact with waterfowl" and of ensuring "full compliance in all time" measures at the entrance to farms (changes of boots and clothes, hand washing, etc.).

https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/2...(ACIA)%20mardi.

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Canards du Lac-Brome will slaughter 150,000 ducks and lay off 300 employees because of avian flu

La Presse canadienne
April 20, 2022
Economy

The Quebec breeder Canards du Lac-Brome, which has detected cases of avian flu in three of its facilities, will have to slaughter 150,000 birds and lay off nearly 300 employees.

It will likely take 6 to 12 months, and possibly several million dollars, for the company to fully restore operations, according to chief executive Angela Anderson.

In an interview Wednesday, Ms. Anderson said that one of the facilities affected by the H5N1 flu contained all of the company's breeding stock, including 400,000 Pekin duck eggs that had to be destroyed.

Once the birds in the unaffected facilities are processed, the company will have to lay off staff, as there will be no new ducks.

For veterinarian Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, of the University of Montreal, the H5N1 avian flu is highly pathogenic and represents the strain most at risk with which Quebec farmers have ever been confronted.

According to him, although it does not pose much of a risk to humans, it is so contagious that all animals on an infected farm must be slaughtered on the spot to prevent the spread of the virus.

https://www.ledevoir.com/economie/701517/canards-du-lac-brome-abattra-150-000-canards-et-mettra-a-pied-300-employes-a-cause-de-la-grippe-aviaire

[Shiloh]

Source: https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-.../1640207916934

The CFIA has confirmed the presence of avian influenza type H5 in the following Regional County Municipalities (RCM) in Quebec:

• April 21, 2022 – Les Sources (poultry flock)
• April 17, 2022 – Les Sources (poultry flock)
• April 14, 2022 – Brome-Missisquoi (poultry flock)
• April 13, 2022 – Haut-Saint-François (small flock)
• April 12, 2022 – Val-Saint-François (poultry flock)

The infected sites have been placed under quarantine. The CFIA has established movement control measures and is recommending that other farms in the area increase biosecurity.

The CFIA has established Primary Control Zones (PCZ), in the areas where the disease has been identified. The PCZs have been established to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza:

• Map: Avian influenza zones
• Permits and movement permissions

The CFIA continues to remind all those who raise poultry or own other disease-prone bird species to adopt good biosecurity practices to protect them from infectious animal diseases.

Resources are available for producers and owners of small flocks and pet birds...

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Company news release -

Translation Google



MEDIA ADVISORY - BROME LAKE DUCKS

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NEWS PROVIDED BY
Brome Lake Ducks Apr 22, 2022, 09:00 ET

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LAC- BROME, QC , April 22, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Canards du Lac-Brome informs the media that a fourth production site has obtained a positive result for avian influenza, it is that of St- Georges-de-Windsor .

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) .

Canards du Lac Brome reiterates its full cooperation with the provincial and federal authorities in place and will not issue any new comments until the final assessment of the situation. The company is currently focusing its energy on the complex management of the situation and on a plan to relaunch operations. Canards du Lac Brome also confirms that all products offered for sale at retail or within the food service sector are healthy and safe for consumption.

SOURCE Brome Lake Ducks

For further information: Sandrine Gagné, sandrine@morinrp.com

https://www.newswire.ca/fr/news-releases/avis-aux-medias-canards-du-lac-brome-850763758.html

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