# 3859
The ever-widening host range of the H1N1 virus is something that scientists will be keeping a wary eye on, even if right now it doesn’t constitute an imminent public health risk.
New hosts bring added potential for the H1N1 virus to mutate or reassort with other flu viruses. That doesn’t mean that it will mutate, only that it provides the virus more venues in which it could happen.
That the virus should end up back in swine really isn’t a surprise, but finding it in Turkeys (twice, now) is a little less expected.
In fact, it was only last week that a study in Eurosurveilance sought to reassure us that Turkeys weren’t particularly susceptible to the H1N1 virus. Below is just an excerpt.
Eurosurveillance, Volume 14, Issue 41, 15 October 2009
Rapid communications
C Terregino1, R De Nardi1, R Nisi1, F Cilloni1, A Salviato1, M Fasolato1, I Capua ()1
Our findings suggest that in its present form, the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus is not likely to be transmitted to meat turkeys and does therefore not represent an animal health or food safety issue for this species.
This begs the question: Is there something genetically different about this H1N1 virus – the one that has infected turkeys in Canada -that sets it apart from the strain used by the research team in Italy?
Something, I should think, scientists will be looking at closely in the coming days.
Here is the latest news report on the Turkey Farm infection, and the OMAFRA (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) press release.
Swine flu found in Ontario turkey breeding farm
CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Tuesday Oct. 20, 2009 2:29 PM ET
Ontario has confirmed a swine flu infection at a turkey breeding farm but health officials say it doesn't pose a threat to human health.
Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews says the outbreak affected a breeder's flock of turkeys, but wouldn't say where the outbreak occurred.
She says the main concern is that the H1N1 infection would spread through the flock.
This press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, & Rural Affairs.
H1N1 Flu Infection Found In An Ontario Turkey Flock
Food Safety Not At Risk
NEWS
October 20, 2009
Turkeys in one barn at an Ontario facility have been found to be infected with the H1N1 flu virus.
Food safety is not at risk. No birds or eggs from this facility have entered the food chain. Proper cooking practices destroy the influenza virus.
As a best practice, all individuals are encouraged to practice proper hygiene and, if they have flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home, and avoid contact with livestock. Ontarians should get vaccinated against both H1N1 and the seasonal flu as the vaccines become available.
Test results indicate that the strain of flu isolated from the turkeys is the same as the H1N1 flu that has been circulating among humans since April 2009.
Local public health units are contacting individuals who may have had contact with the flock. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Labour will continue to monitor the situation and work with the producer and their employees.
The producer has voluntarily quarantined the infected birds and put movement controls in place.
QUOTES
“Influenza viruses such as this circulate amongst birds, livestock and humans. This report is a good reminder to farmers to be even more conscientious than usual when it comes to protecting their flocks and ultimately, the people who come in contact with them.”
— Dr. Deb Stark, Chief Veterinarian for Ontario“I am satisfied that this flock does not pose any threat to the health of the general public. In order to protect themselves and the animals they are working with, I strongly advise all poultry and livestock workers to get immunized against the H1N1 flu virus.”
— Dr. Arlene King, Chief Medical Officer of Health
