No Asian Strains of Avian Influenza Detected to date in Canada's 2006 Wild Bird Surve

[HenryN]

No Asian Strains of Avian Influenza Detected to date in Canada's 2006 Wild Bird Survey

This is the first in a series of regular updates on confirmed results of Canada's 2006 wild bird survey for avian influenza (AI).

The wild bird AI survey is a cooperative effort involving the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, the Government of Canada and provincial and territorial governments. The survey is designed to provide an early warning for highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza and the research is enabling wild life health authorities to gain a deeper understanding of the presence and characteristics of influenza viruses circulating in wild birds in Canada.

• The total sample target for this year's survey is approximately 12,000 birds.
• About 8,300 birds have been sampled to date.
• Testing of about 3,700 samples is now complete
• The remaining samples will be collected and tested by the end of 2006.

To date, the survey has not found any evidence of the Asian H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The vast majority of samples have tested negative for any strain of avian influenza. All positive virus samples so far have been low pathogenic, North American strains; these results mirror those from the United States this year and from Canada in its 2005 survey.

In addition, Canada collaborated with the Government of Iceland to sample migratory birds of interest in that country prior to their arrival in Canada over the summer. No Asian strain H5N1 has been found in those samples.
Findings of avian influenza viruses in wild birds are not unexpected. Influenza viruses commonly circulate in wild birds with little or no impact on the health of the birds or other species.

The first Canadian wild bird survey, conducted in 2005, identified many different AI viruses including four H5 subtypes - H5N9, H5N3, H5N2 and H5N1. In all cases, these viruses were clearly characterized by scientists as low pathogenic, North American strains.

Additional results will be posted at this site as they are confirmed.

http://wildlife1.usask.ca/en/aiv/aiv_latest_results.php

 

[HenryN]

Re: No Asian Strains of Avian Influenza Detected to date in Canada's 2006 Wild Bird Surve

No Asian Strains of Avian Influenza Detected to date in Canada's 2006 Wild Bird Survey

To date, the survey has not found any evidence of the Asian H5N1 strain of avian influenza. The vast majority of samples have tested negative for any strain of avian influenza. All positive virus samples so far have been low pathogenic, North American strains; these results mirror those from the United States this year and from Canada in its 2005 survey.
In addition, Canada collaborated with the Government of Iceland to sample migratory birds of interest in that country prior to their arrival in Canada over the summer. No Asian strain H5N1 has been found in those samples.
Findings of avian influenza viruses in wild birds are not unexpected. Influenza viruses commonly circulate in wild birds with little or no impact on the health of the birds or other species.
The first Canadian wild bird survey, conducted in 2005, identified many different AI viruses including four H5 subtypes - H5N9, H5N3, H5N2 and H5N1. In all cases, these viruses were clearly characterized by scientists as low pathogenic, North American strains.
Additional results will be posted at this site as they are confirmed.

http://wildlife1.usask.ca/en/aiv/aiv_latest_results.php

The above comments seem to indicate that H5 was once gain found in Canada (and probably Iceland). This year, all H5 isolates reported to date in the US have been H5N1. Although these isolates may not be the Qinghai strain, they almost certain have evudence if HPAI H5N1.

I suspect that those birds that link to the East Atlantic flyway will also have Qinghai sequences.