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Canada - LPAI H5 Confirmed on 2nd Turkey Farm

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Confrmation delays increase concerns.
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

niman said:
Confrmation delays increase concerns.
Click to expand...

It is the weekend. I do not think we will hear anything until Monday.
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Florida1 said:
It is the weekend. I do not think we will hear anything until Monday.
Click to expand...
Saturday results are common (especially when the news is bad like the latest death in China).
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Then they could to say that the results will be known Monday. There is nothing. It is very disappointing on behalf of Canada.
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Analysis underway to determine possible B.C. outbreak of avian flu: CFIA

Last Updated: Friday, January 23, 2009 | 8:27 PM PT

Several Abbotsford poultry farms were under a precautionary quarantine on Friday after a suspected outbreak of avian influenza was detected on a commercial turkey farm. (CBC) Lab tests confirmed the presence of the H5 strain of avian influenza in a Fraser Valley turkey farm Friday as health officials continued the quarantine of all poultry farms within three kilometres of the property.
Blood work revealed bird flu antibodies in some 12-week-old birds, and a detailed genetic analysis is underway to determine the potential danger of an outbreak, said Sandra Stephens, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
The initial testing was done after some of the 50,000 turkeys on the E&H Farms in Abbotsford showed signs of respiratory distress.

"Right now, we are in the process of planning for the destruction, planning for the disposal, getting all the premises identified in the area, determining what birds they have … and what type of surveillance we will need to do on those other farms that are under quarantine," Stephens told CBC News.

Sandra Stephens, a spokeswoman for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, says a detailed genetic analysis is underway to determine the potential danger of an avian flu outbreak. (CBC) Twenty-three other farms within a three-kilometre radius are under a precautionary quarantine until the agency determines the subtype of H5 that has made the birds sick, and whether the virus is of high or low pathogenicity.

The B.C. Poultry Association said Friday there were some health issues among some turkeys at the commercial farm recently.
"There was some minor respiratory problems … so there were some producers being proactive and trying to find out what the issue was," association spokesman Calvin Breukelman told said.

Danuta Skowronski, an epidemiologist with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, said the risk to human health is negligible even if an outbreak is confirmed.

"In terms of the general public, the risk either way is about as close to zero as you can get. Our concern would focus on making sure that anyone having direct exposure with avian influenza is well protected," Skowronski said.
Seventeen million birds were slaughtered in the Fraser Valley in February 2004 following an outbreak of the H7N3 version of the disease, a different strain from deadly H5N1 version linked to nearly 250 deaths and other illnesses in Southeast Asia, China, Russia and Europe.

The presence of H5 virus in the Fraser Valley turkeys does not mean there is an outbreak of the H5N1 virus, Skowronski said, and there are multiple subtypes of H5 avian flu.
<CITE class=source>With files from the Canadian Press</CITE>
|
Story comments (55)

Truth Seeker wrote:Posted 2009/01/24
at 2:37 PM ...........
It would be great to be a fly on the wall when the two meet and discuss matters concerning our two countries.
Over a Pepsi so to speak!
Recommendthis commentRecommend this comment Report abuse

TerriRobson wrote:Posted 2009/01/24
at 12:33 AM ETSo will this report be as long in coming back to the population as the one CFIA did for listeriosis?????????
1Personrecommendedthis comment1Recommend this comment Report abuse

Truth Seeker wrote:Posted 2009/01/24
at 12:20 AM ETpennylane wrote:
Our lab here in Regina Prairie Diagnostic Services is closing in March in order to save money. This facility which tests for such things as avian flu is needed none more than ever.

Another "conservative' move!
4Peoplerecommendedthis comment4Recommend this comment Report abuse

LoranHayden wrote:Posted 2009/01/24
at 12:19 AM ETI've posted my opinion of your opinions in another forum, voice of reason....To those who don't know you can click on the name of the poster and see his/her history of posts
1Personrecommendedthis comment1Recommend this comment Report abuse

LoranHayden wrote:Posted 2009/01/24
at 12:01 AM ETvoice of reason: protein is protein - get over it.
1Personrecommendedthis comment1Recommend this comment Report abuse


 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Expert warned two years ago of bird flu danger near time of 2010 Olympics



Farmers didn't take security seriously, he says



By Chad Skelton, Vancouver SunJanuary 24, 2009 11:01




<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> function resizeImage() { var imgBox = document.getElementById('imageBox'); var photo = document.getElementById('storyphoto'); if (imgBox != null & photo != null) { if(photo.width >= 460) { imgBox.className = 'imagesize460'; } else { if(photo.width >= 300) { imgBox.className = 'imagesize310'; } else { imgBox.className = 'imageboxpadding'; } imgBox.style.width = photo.width + 'px'; } } } function getStoryFontSize() { var storyfontsize = getCookie('storyfontsize'); var storyfontimage = getCookie('storyfontimage'); // use cookied value, if present if (storyfontsize != null) { setClass('story_content',storyfontsize); if (storyfontimage != null) { setClass('fontsizecontainer',storyfontimage); } } else // default it to para14 if no cookie { setClass('story_content','para14'); setClass('fontsizecontainer','size02'); } } function setStoryFontSize(storyfontsize,storyfontimage) { setClass('story_content',storyfontsize); setClass('fontsizecontainer',storyfontimage); setCookie('storyfontsize', storyfontsize, '365', '/', '', ''); setCookie('storyfontimage', storyfontimage, '365', '/', '', ''); } function setCookie( name, value, expires, path, domain, secure ) { // set time var today = new Date(); today.setTime( today.getTime() ); if ( expires ) { expires = expires * 1000 * 60 * 60 * 24; //days } var expires_date = new Date( today.getTime() + (expires) ); document.cookie = name + "=" + escape( value ) + ( ( expires ) ? ";expires=" + expires_date.toGMTString() : "" ) + ( ( path ) ? ";path=" + path : "" ) + ( ( domain ) ? ";domain=" + domain : "" ) + ( ( secure ) ? ";secure" : "" ); } function getCookie( check_name ) { // split this cookie up into name/value pairs var a_all_cookies = document.cookie.split( ';' ); var a_temp_cookie = ''; var cookie_name = ''; var cookie_value = ''; var b_cookie_found = false; // set boolean t/f default f for ( i = 0; i < a_all_cookies.length; i++ ) { // split apart each name=value pair a_temp_cookie = a_all_cookies.split( '=' ); // and trim left/right whitespace while we're at it cookie_name = a_temp_cookie[0].replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g, ''); // if the extracted name matches passed check_name if ( cookie_name == check_name ) { b_cookie_found = true; // we need to handle case where cookie has no value but exists (no = sign, that is): if ( a_temp_cookie.length > 1 ) { cookie_value = unescape( a_temp_cookie[1].replace(/^\s+|\s+$/g, '') ); } // note that in cases where cookie is initialized but no value, null is returned return cookie_value; break; } a_temp_cookie = null; cookie_name = ''; } if ( !b_cookie_found ) { return null; } } </SCRIPT>http://javascript<b></b>:setClass('storypage','story_photo_content');

E & H Farms, a turkey farm near Abbotsford.

Photograph by: Jean Konda-Witte, Abbotsford-Mission Times




An official with B.C.’s Agriculture Ministry warned the poultry industry two years ago that if farmers didn’t take biosecurity measures more seriously the province could face a bird-flu outbreak within months of the 2010 Olympics, something he said would be a “political disaster.”
The warning is contained in a January 2007 e-mail — obtained by The Vancouver Sun through the Freedom of Information Act — from Stewart Paulson, a poultry industry specialist with the government, to Calvin Breukelman, then chair of the BC Poultry Association’s biosecurity committee.
In the e-mail, Paulson expressed frustration that some Fraser Valley poultry farmers still weren’t keeping the gates on their farms closed at all times — a measure intended to reduce foot and vehicle traffic, which can spread infection from one farm to another.
“In a few years we are going to have a major event in the province that B.C./Canada has invested billions to bring about,” Paulson stated in the e-mail. “If this province broke with AI [avian influenza] within six months of this event it would be a political disaster for the B.C. poultry industry. When the farmers drive through those gates, and are deciding whether it is worth stopping and closing those gates, they need to think of those consequences.”
In an interview Friday, Breukelman acknowledged some farmers thought the new gate rules were “a bit of a nuisance”, as they had to get out of their tractors several times a day to open and close them.
However, Breukelman said most farmers have since become used to the idea, while others have installed electric gates that open and close automatically.
In 2004, a massive bird-flu outbreak in the Fraser Valley led to the culling of 17 million birds.
In response, the government and poultry producers began developing mandatory biosecurity rules for farmers, such as keeping gates closed at all times and changing their footwear before entering or exiting a barn.
All poultry producers in the province were supposed to be following the new rules by the start of 2007. However, by mid-2007, fewer than 15 per cent had been certified as complying.
Ron Lewis, B.C.’s chief veterinarian, said Friday that well over 90 per cent of all poultry farms have now been biosecurity certified, and those that remain only have minor problems left to fix.
“It’s taken a long time to get here ... but we’ve got pretty full compliance now,” he said.
Breukelman said poultry farmers have received the message that biosecurity is important.
“Initially, we had some push back on it, but for the most part it’s been well received,” he said. “You might have some farmers that get grumpy about it. But, at the end of the day, it’s all about disease mitigation — and they’re all in favour of that.”
cskelton@vancouversun.com
http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/...er+near+time+2010+Olympics/1214411/story.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Testing for avian flu on Abbotsford farm


By Joe Millican - Abbotsford News

Published: January 24, 2009 12:00 PM<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> function commentWrite(o) { var commentString = '

' + o['num_posts'] + ' Comment' + (o['num_posts'] == 1 ? '' : 's'); document.write(commentString); } </SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://disqus.com/api/v1/get_num_posts/?forum_url=abbynews&thread_identifier=38242144&callback=commentWrite" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>

0 Comments <!--startclickprintexclude-->
​

<!--endclickprintexclude-->Several Abbotsford farms were under quarantine yesterday, as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) investigated a possible outbreak of avian influenza.
The results of those tests were not known as of press deadline yesterday (Friday), as the quarantine remained on all farms within a three kilometre radius of the turkeys that were being tested.
The tests were reportedly ordered after antibodies for avian flu were found in some 12-week-old turkeys at E & H Farms, on Lefeuvre Road.
CFIA spokesperson Monika Mazur said yesterday morning that the results from the tests may have been known as early as last night.
At that point, Mazur said the CFIA would know whether there was a positive for avian flu. The exact strain of the disease would take longer to determine, she added.
?If we do confirm a positive, we will then investigate where it may have spread to,? she said.
?It should be remembered that human illness is very rare, unless you have been in very close contact [with the birds].?
The affected farm, she said, has 50,000 turkeys.
Ron Lewis, Chief Veterinarian of B.C. and Director of the Animal Health Branch, confirmed that tests for avian flu were conducted at Abbotsford?s new Containment Level 3 lab on Thursday.
Those results were then sent to the CFIA in Winnipeg, said Lewis, adding that the CFIA is the ?lead agency? and has to be the first to confirm all Canadian avian flu outbreaks.
If avian flu is confirmed, Lewis said all future tests can then be completed in Abbotsford rather than in Winnipeg.
?We are working with them [the CFIA] very closely,? he added.
Seventeen million poultry were slaughtered in the Fraser Valley in 2004, due to an outbreak of the H7N3 strain of the avian flu.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/news/38242144.html
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

niman said:
Testing for avian flu on Abbotsford farm


By Joe Millican - Abbotsford News

Published: January 24, 2009 12:00 PM<SCRIPT type=text/javascript> function commentWrite(o) { var commentString = '

' + o['num_posts'] + ' Comment' + (o['num_posts'] == 1 ? '' : 's'); document.write(commentString); } </SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://disqus.com/api/v1/get_num_posts/?forum_url=abbynews&thread_identifier=38242144&callback=commentWrite" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>

0 Comments<!--startclickprintexclude-->

The affected farm, she said, has 50,000 turkeys.
Ron Lewis, Chief Veterinarian of B.C. and Director of the Animal Health Branch, confirmed that tests for avian flu were conducted at Abbotsford?s new Containment Level 3 lab on Thursday.
Those results were then sent to the CFIA in Winnipeg, said Lewis, adding that the CFIA is the ?lead agency? and has to be the first to confirm all Canadian avian flu outbreaks.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/fraser_valley/abbynews/news/38242144.html
Click to expand...
So even though they knew Thursday from RESULTS at BSL-3 lab, they are still not talking.
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border: medium none ; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="height: 25.15pt; page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in 5.75pt; width: 149.75pt; height: 25.15pt;" valign="top" width="200">For Immediate Release
2008AL0048-001875
Dec. 11, 2008
</td><td style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in 5.75pt; width: 358.55pt; height: 25.15pt;" valign="top" width="478">
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands​
</td></tr><tr style="height: 25.15pt; page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="border: medium none ; padding: 0in 5.75pt; width: 508.3pt; height: 25.15pt;" colspan="2" valign="top" width="678">
<o:p> </o:p>
NEW $14M LAB PROTECTS ANIMAL AND HUMAN HEALTH<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>​
</td></tr></tbody></table>

ABBOTSFORD – British Columbians are now better protected from the impact of future animal disease outbreaks, Agriculture and Lands Minister Stan Hagen announced today at the official opening of the Province’s new $14-million Containment Level 3 laboratory in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Fraser</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Valley</st1:placename></st1:place>.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
“Public safety is a top priority for our government,” said <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Hagen</st1:place></st1:city>. “Having a Containment Level 3 lab in B.C. ensures we are fully prepared to identify and respond to incidents of animal disease faster and more efficiently. This proactive step benefits animals, industry and the public.”<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
A Containment Level 3 (CL3) lab provides a controlled environment where samples containing potential diseases can be safely studied and analyzed.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Built as an addition to the existing Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford, the newly constructed CL3 laboratory is the only facility of its kind in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place> associated with a provincial veterinary diagnostic laboratory. The new lab allows:<o:p></o:p>
  • Laboratory scientists to respond faster to each specific disease threat through detailed characterization of disease-causing agents.<o:p></o:p>
  • Time and money saved by minimizing the number of samples sent to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s lab in Winnipeg in the event of a foreign animal disease outbreak.<o:p></o:p>
  • Samples to be safely moved from the existing CL2 lab to the more secure CL3 lab for further testing on-site.<o:p></o:p>
  • Additional protection for laboratory workers from diseases that may infect people as well as animals.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Some of the physical features of the laboratory include advanced air-filtration and waste handling systems, break-resistant glass, decontamination facilities and a sealed continuous containment barrier. Such strict measures are designed to ensure that there are multiple layers reinforcing each other so that no disease-causing agents can escape into the environment.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
B.C. Agriculture Council chair Garnet Etsell is pleased to see the Province’s diagnostic capabilities expand. “This new laboratory will help ensure B.C.’s producers have access to some of the best animal health diagnostic services in the country. This CL3 lab will help the agriculture industry ensure our products are healthy and safe,” said Etsell. <o:p></o:p>

<o:p> </o:p>
Construction of the CL3 lab began in December 2006 and was completed in October 2008 with funding from the 2006 provincial budget. The project was targeted at $14.5 million and has been completed under budget at $14 million. The current laboratory facility is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) as a full-service diagnostic laboratory, one of only two laboratories in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Canada</st1:country-region></st1:place> to achieve this distinction. The new CL3 laboratory is being commissioned by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and is expected to be fully operational in early 2009. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
-30-
<o:p> </o:p>​



<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 7.05in;" colspan="3" valign="top" width="677"> 1 backgrounder(s) attached. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>

</td></tr><tr style="page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 57.5pt;" valign="top" width="77">Media
contact:
</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 206.45pt;" valign="top" width="275">Liz Bicknell
Communications Director
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.65pt;" valign="top" width="325">
</td></tr><tr style="page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 57.5pt;" valign="top" width="77"><o:p> </o:p>
</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 206.45pt;" valign="top" width="275">
</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.65pt;" valign="top" width="325">
</td></tr><tr style=""><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 7.05in;" colspan="3" valign="top" width="677">For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
</td></tr></tbody></table>

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008AL0048-001875.htm
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr style="height: 8.5pt; page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.75pt; width: 508.3pt; height: 8.5pt;" colspan="2" valign="top" width="678">
BACKGROUNDER <o:p></o:p>​
</td></tr><tr style="height: 25.15pt; page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.75pt; width: 149.75pt; height: 25.15pt;" valign="top" width="200">2008AL0048-001875
Dec. 11, 2008
</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.75pt; width: 358.55pt; height: 25.15pt;" valign="top" width="478">
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands​
</td></tr><tr style="height: 25.15pt; page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.75pt; width: 508.3pt; height: 25.15pt;" colspan="2" valign="top" width="678">
<o:p> </o:p>
HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH PROTECTED AT NEW CL3 LAB<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>​
</td></tr></tbody></table>

Construction has now been completed on a new $14 million Containment Level 3 (CL3) laboratory in the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Fraser</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Valley</st1:placename></st1:place>. The CL3 Laboratory includes the following features:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Additional testing capability from CL3:<o:p></o:p>
? Faster and more accurate identification and characterization of animal and human health threats including threats from Foreign Animal Diseases.<o:p></o:p>
? Increased level of preparedness for newly emerging diseases.<o:p></o:p>
? Enhanced protection of laboratory workers from diseases capable of transmission from animals to people.<o:p></o:p>
? Prevention of reintroduction of disease agents back into the environment.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
CL3 Laboratory will be used to identify and characterize animal diseases, including:<o:p></o:p>
? Avian Influenza.<o:p></o:p>
? Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as Mad-Cow Disease.<o:p></o:p>
? <st1:place w:st="on">West Nile</st1:place> Virus.<o:p></o:p>
? Foreign Animal Diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease.<o:p></o:p>
? Significant disease-causing agents that could be transmitted from animals to people.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Construction details:<o:p></o:p>
? Laboratory completed $500,000 under budget for a total cost of $14 million. <o:p></o:p>
? Construction began in December 2006 and was completed in October 2008.<o:p></o:p>
? The CL3 laboratory is an addition to the existing Animal Health Centre.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Security features:<o:p></o:p>
? Extremely stringent air filtration and waste handling systems; break-resistant glass; multiple levels of reinforcement; and biosecurity, among other safeguards, to prevent the dispersion of pathogens.<o:p></o:p>
? All material and equipment must be decontaminated before leaving the lab.<o:p></o:p>
? Sealed continuous containment barrier.<o:p></o:p>
? Pressure-controlled airtight dampers.<o:p></o:p>
? Cameras mounted in critical areas for safety and security.<o:p></o:p>
-30-<o:p></o:p>​



<table class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse;" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 7.05in;" colspan="3" valign="top" width="677">
</td></tr><tr style="page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 57.5pt;" valign="top" width="77">Media
contact:
</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 206.45pt;" valign="top" width="275">Liz Bicknell
Communications Director
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
250 356-2862

</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.65pt;" valign="top" width="325">
</td></tr><tr style="page-break-inside: avoid;"><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 57.5pt;" valign="top" width="77"><o:p> </o:p>
</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 206.45pt;" valign="top" width="275">
</td><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 243.65pt;" valign="top" width="325">
</td></tr><tr style=""><td style="padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 7.05in;" colspan="3" valign="top" width="677">For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province?s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province?s website at www.gov.bc.ca.
</td></tr></tbody></table>

http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008AL0048-001875-Attachment1.htm
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Jan 24, 2009 16:00 ET
<!-- TIMESTAMP END --> <!-- HEADLINES BEGIN --> CFIA: Avian Influenza Detected in British Columbia


<!-- HEADLINES END --> <!-- RELEASE BODY BEGINS --> OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 24, 2009) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza virus in a commercial poultry operation in southern British Columbia.

Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds. Tests to date indicate that the strain of AI in this case is low pathogenic. Further testing is underway to confirm pathogenicity and to determine the precise subtype and strain of the 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 have had close contact with infected birds. Nevertheless, public health authorities will take precautionary measures as warranted.

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 disinfection of the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools to eliminate any infectious material that may remain.

In order to limit any potential virus spread, the CFIA is applying restrictions on the movement of poultry and poultry products within three kilometres of the infected premises. The CFIA is relying on all backyard poultry owners to monitor their flocks and immediately report sick or dead birds. Poultry owners are urged to take an active role in protecting their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on their property.

The CFIA is investigating any recent movement of birds, bird products and equipment onto and off of the infected property.

Animal health and public health authorities from the Province of B.C., local poultry specialists and industry are actively collaborating in this response effort. The CFIA is conducting a thorough epidemiological investigation of the premises. A shared commitment by all involved has maximized the Agency's ability to contain and eliminate this situation as quickly as possible.

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.

-
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency-941286.html
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

So this looks like it is approximately 5 miles from the USA border. Is there any extra precaution on the US side? Do workers mix borders in the area? I looked at the web page for the Seattle Times http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/home/index.html
assuming it is the regional newspaper for the area, but I did not see any mention of the story.
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Jan 24, 2009 15:04 ET
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<!-- HEADLINES END --> <!-- RELEASE BODY BEGINS --> ABBOTSFORD, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 24, 2009) - Federal and provincial officials will provide an update for media on the investigation into an animal disease detection in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia.

Representatives of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, and Fraser Health will be on hand to provide information during the news conference.






Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009


Time: 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time)


Location: Abbotsford Agriculture Centre
1767 Angus Campbell Road (off Delair Road)
Abbotsford


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A teleconference line will also be available. Participants should begin calling 10 minutes prior to the news conference start time and ask for the "Fraser Valley Animal Disease Investigation News Conference".

Conference Number: 1-866-226-1799
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http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Canadian-Food-Inspection-Agency-941283.html
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Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Any updates?

Conference just ended.
 
Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

niman said:
Commentary

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/01240902/H5_Turkeys_BC.html
Click to expand...
Commentary

Fatal H5 Infections on Canadian Turkey Farm Raise Concerns
Recombinomics Commentary 16:55
January 24, 2009


The initial test, which was conducted at a lab in Abbotsford, was prompted when a worker noticed the birds seemed to be suffering from some sort of respiratory distress.

Mortality among the birds in the two barns at the farm has been normal to “perhaps slightly elevated,” Stephens said.

The above comments on the H5 outbreak in British Columbia increase concerns that the outbreak is due to H5N1. Although H5N1 frequently causes rapid and dramatic increases in bird mortality, some birds, such as waterfowl, can have asymptomatic H5N1 infections.

H5N1 pathogenicity is linked to a polybasic HA cleavage site and early mortality in experimental chickens. HPAI failures to lead to more symptoms in waterfowl are frequently linked to prior exposure of the waterfowl to low path H5, which creates cross reactive immunity. Media reports have indicated the turkeys have H5 antibodies.

H5 has been widespread in North America in recent years, so terrestrial poultry, such as the turkeys at the above farm could have immunity that would produce mortalities that were “slightly elevated”. Most would be asymptomatic or have some respiratory distress. The clade 2.2 (Qinghai) strain of H5N1 is largely limited to the upper respiratory in waterfowl, but produces fatal infections in naïve hosts, including humans.

More information on the delayed H5 analysis, such as the sequence of the HA cleavage site, or size of the HA or NA insert, would be useful.

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Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Re: B.C. poultry farms quarantined by suspected outbreak of avian influenza

Liz told me that they have confirmed H5 but not the N part.
 
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