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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2009/10/21/11471996-sun.html#
Worker gave H1N1 to turkeys
Officials reassure public; tell handlers to get flu shots
By ANTONELLA ARTUSO AND CHRISTINA SPENCER, SUN MEDIA
The Toronto Sun
Swine flu found in Ontario turkey farm
TORONTO -- Ontario's chief medical officer of health is advising poultry handlers and other livestock workers to get their flu shots after breeder turkeys at a Kitchener farm tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
Public health officials say the public can eat turkey with confidence as the affected birds did not end up on anyone's plate.
"I want to assure Ontarians that the risk to human health in this situation is minimal, but it is the clarion call to people who work with livestock to get both the seasonal and the H1N1 flu shot," Dr. Arlene King said yesterday.
'REDUCED IMMUNITY'
"We have to do all we can to stop the transmission of viruses between people and animals. The risk is the potential changes to the virus against which people could have reduced or no immunity."
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed on Friday that birds at an Ontario farm were infected with the H1N1 virus.
While provincial authorities refused to name the outfit, the Turkey Farmers of Canada website identified the operation as Hybrid Turkeys, a breeder based in Kitchener,
According to the company's website, Hybrid Turkeys is one of the two major turkey breeding companies worldwide and Canada's only primary turkey breeder.
Dr. Jim Clark, of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said there were about 3,500 birds at the farm and it's likely most were infected.
The CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg found "good evidence" of the virus in samples sent there, he said.
It's likely the illness passed from a human to the animals, Clark said.
"The poultry industry and the swine industry need to develop effective biosecurity measures to exclude any person ill with the disease from interaction with animals."
Dr. Deb Stark, Chief Veterinarian for Ontario, said it appears a worker at the farm, who experienced some signs of the flu, may have passed the virus to the birds.
"When it comes to influenza, we're all in this together," Stark said. "And that includes the animals."
The company voluntarily isolated the flock immediately after a drop in egg production was noted, Stark said.
Hybrid Turkeys issued a news statement last night that confirmed the H1N1 virus was found in one flock that is expected to fully recover.
'HUMAN TRANSMISSION'
"The most likely source of the virus is from human transmission," the statement says.
A limited number of employees prior to the egg production drop exhibited "cold-like" symptoms and one sought medical attention. Employee health is being monitored and some employees are now being tested for the virus.
"Influenza is not transmissible from hatching eggs nor through the consumption of turkey meat, which continues to be a safe, healthy product," the company says.
The affected turkeys produce eggs for breeding purposes and are not meant for the food supply.
Worker gave H1N1 to turkeys
Officials reassure public; tell handlers to get flu shots
By ANTONELLA ARTUSO AND CHRISTINA SPENCER, SUN MEDIA
The Toronto Sun
Swine flu found in Ontario turkey farm
TORONTO -- Ontario's chief medical officer of health is advising poultry handlers and other livestock workers to get their flu shots after breeder turkeys at a Kitchener farm tested positive for the H1N1 virus.
Public health officials say the public can eat turkey with confidence as the affected birds did not end up on anyone's plate.
"I want to assure Ontarians that the risk to human health in this situation is minimal, but it is the clarion call to people who work with livestock to get both the seasonal and the H1N1 flu shot," Dr. Arlene King said yesterday.
'REDUCED IMMUNITY'
"We have to do all we can to stop the transmission of viruses between people and animals. The risk is the potential changes to the virus against which people could have reduced or no immunity."
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed on Friday that birds at an Ontario farm were infected with the H1N1 virus.
While provincial authorities refused to name the outfit, the Turkey Farmers of Canada website identified the operation as Hybrid Turkeys, a breeder based in Kitchener,
According to the company's website, Hybrid Turkeys is one of the two major turkey breeding companies worldwide and Canada's only primary turkey breeder.
Dr. Jim Clark, of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said there were about 3,500 birds at the farm and it's likely most were infected.
The CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg found "good evidence" of the virus in samples sent there, he said.
It's likely the illness passed from a human to the animals, Clark said.
"The poultry industry and the swine industry need to develop effective biosecurity measures to exclude any person ill with the disease from interaction with animals."
Dr. Deb Stark, Chief Veterinarian for Ontario, said it appears a worker at the farm, who experienced some signs of the flu, may have passed the virus to the birds.
"When it comes to influenza, we're all in this together," Stark said. "And that includes the animals."
The company voluntarily isolated the flock immediately after a drop in egg production was noted, Stark said.
Hybrid Turkeys issued a news statement last night that confirmed the H1N1 virus was found in one flock that is expected to fully recover.
'HUMAN TRANSMISSION'
"The most likely source of the virus is from human transmission," the statement says.
A limited number of employees prior to the egg production drop exhibited "cold-like" symptoms and one sought medical attention. Employee health is being monitored and some employees are now being tested for the virus.
"Influenza is not transmissible from hatching eggs nor through the consumption of turkey meat, which continues to be a safe, healthy product," the company says.
The affected turkeys produce eggs for breeding purposes and are not meant for the food supply.
