Bird flu confirmed on western Canada poultry farm - YoNews

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A strain of the bird flu virus has been detected on a poultry farm in the western Canadian province of British Columbia, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Saturday.

The agency confirmed "the presence of H5 avian influenza (AI) virus in a commercial poultry operation," adding that further testing is underway to assess the precise strain of the virus.

"Tests to date indicate that the strain of AI in this case is low pathogenic," said the CFIA.

To limit the virus from spreading restrictions are applied on the movement of poultry and poultry products within three kilometers (1.8 miles) of the farm.

"All birds on the infected premises will be humanely euthanized and disposed of," said the agency.

According to the World Health Organization some 250 people have died from bird flu worldwide since 2003, mostly in Asian countries.

The H5N1 virus typically spreads from birds to humans through direct contact, but experts fear it could mutate into a form easily transmissible between humans, with the potential to kill millions in a pandemic.

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Avian flu confirmed at Abbotsford turkey farm, 60,000 turkeys to be culled
 
 
Vancouver SunJanuary 24, 2009 5:01 PM
 
 
A turkey farm containing 8,000 one-week-old poults in Abbotsford.
 
A turkey farm containing 8,000 one-week-old poults in Abbotsford.
Photograph by: ian lindsay, Vancouver Sun

METRO VANCOUVER - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed Saturday the outbreak of avian flu at an Abbotsford-area farm.

"The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza in a commercial poultry operation in southern British Columbia," said Dr. Sandra Stephens, veterinary program specialist for the CFIA, at a news conference in Abbotsford.

The 50,000 to 60,000 turkeys on E & H Farms are to be culled, and 23 farms in the area are under quarantine to prevent the spread of the virus, she said. The quarantine will remain in place until 21 days after the cull, she added.

Tests are still underway to confirm the pathogenicity - or the severity of illness - and the subtype of the virus.

Stephens said she expects results before Sunday, but tests so far indicate the strain is low pathogenic.

The source of the infection is unknown. "We have not got that far into the investigation yet. ... Our next step here is to go back and see how this [virus] could have potentially entered these barns."

There is no threat of human infection, a Fraser Health Authority official said at the conference, but one man who works with the turkeys is being monitored.

"There is one gentleman who works in the affected barn who we are now working very closely with to ensure he doesn't develop signs of infection, but no human has been infected by this outbreak yet," said medical health officer Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin.

The birds are to be killed then composted inside the barns until signs of the virus are gone, said Ron Lewis, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands' chief veterinarian, who was also at the conference.

Avian flu poses little risk of food safety as long as poultry is handled and cooked properly, the CFIA said in a news release.

One subtype of the avian flu - H5N1 - has killed more than 250 people worldwide.

An avian flu outbreak in 2004 resulted in the culling of 17 million birds, but the virus was never detected in a human.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
 
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A turkey farm containing 8,000 one-week-old poults in Abbotsford.
 
A turkey farm containing 8,000 one-week-old poults in Abbotsford.
Photograph by: ian lindsay, Vancouver Sun
 
A turkey farm containing 8,000 one-week-old poults in Abbotsford.
Photo of E & H Farms, a turkey farm which is one of 23 farms which have been quarantined January 23, 2009 due to a suspected outbreak of avian flu.
Security guard postred at E & H Farms, a turkey farm where an outbreak of avian flu is suspected.
 
 
Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/Health/Avian+confirmed+Abbotsford+turkey+farm+turkeys+culled/1215238/story.html