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#11,531
Canada's Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is reporting overnight the discovery of Low Pathogenic H5 avian influenza at a duck farm in lower Ontario, very near the New York border.
There are two broad categories of avian influenza; LPAI (Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza) and HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza).
- LPAI viruses are quite common in wild birds, cause little illness, and only rarely death. They are not considered to be a serious threat to public health, although H5 & H7 strains have the potential to mutate into HPAI strains.
- HPAI viruses are more dangerous, can produce high morbidity and mortality in wild birds and poultry, and can sometimes infect humans with serious result.
Since this is LPAI, it poses far less danger than an HPAI outbreak, but it still requires that immediate action be taken to prevent it from evolving into an HPAI strain.
Here is the CFIA statement, after which I'll have a bit more.
Avian influenza confirmed on farm in Southern Ontario
Ottawa, July 7, 2016
Preliminary testing by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza on a duck farm near St. Catharines, Ontario as a low pathogenic subtype. Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds. Further testing by the CFIA is underway to confirm the precise subtype and strain of the virus. Results are expected within days.
The CFIA has placed the farm under quarantine to control disease spread and will determine a surrounding surveillance zone for further testing and movement control measures. The industry sector has been notified to adopt enhanced biosecurity practices.
Avian influenza does not pose a risk to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked and rarely affects humans. Public health authorities stand ready to 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, and the Province of Ontario will provide technical support on required carcass disposal. 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.
The CFIA, the Province of Ontario, the owner of the infected birds, and the poultry industry are working closely together to manage the situation. Both levels of government will work with the poultry industry to address issues as they emerge. The Canadian poultry sector currently practices a high level of biosecurity that reduces the risk of disease spread.
While I have no idea if they are related to this Ontario outbreak,
for the past week Taiwan's and Japan's MOA have warned of recent LPAI H5 detections in live bird markets from three Northern US states; New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
I've looked for, but have not been able to find any confirmation from OIE, APHIS, or any apparent mention on these states' Department of Agriculture websites.
The reports, posted on Japan's MAFF are listed below.
Japan's MAFF News
July 8
· Consumer Safety Live poultry from Ontario, Canada, for the import ban, such as poultry meat
- In the duck farm in Ontario, Canada, that the occurrence of low pathogenic avian influenza (H5 subtype) has been confirmed, today (2016 July 8 (Friday)), there was a report from the country's animal health authorities .
July 6
· Consumer Safety The import ban, such as poultry meat from some of New Jersey, USA
- In raw bird market of the United States, New Jersey (New Jersey), indicating that the occurrence of low pathogenic avian influenza (H5 subtype) has been confirmed, today (2016 July 6 (Wednesday)), the report from the government was.
July 1
· Consumer Safety The import ban, such as poultry meat from the part of the United States, New York and Pennsylvania
- New York, USA (New York) and in live bird markets of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania), indicating that the occurrence of low pathogenic avian influenza (H5 subtype) has been confirmed, today (2016 July 1 (Friday)) There was a report from the country's government.
Hopefully we'll get some clarification on all of this in the days to come.
