OIE Report: Manitoba Bird Flu Identified As H5N2

 

 

 

# 5091

 

 

My thanks to Ironorehopper on FluTrackers for posting the link to this OIE notification detailing the avian flu outbreak at a turkey farm in Rockwood, Manitoba.

 

I’ve excerpted part of the report below.

 

 

Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Canada

Information received on 25/11/2010 from Dr Brian Evans, Chief Food Safety Officer/Chief Veterinary Officer, Office of the President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OTTAWA, Canada

New outbreaks

Outbreak 1 (NAI-2010-MB-001)
Rockwood municipality, MANITOBA

Date of start of the outbreak
17/11/2010

Outbreak status
Continuing (or date resolved not provided)

 

Affected Population

Turkey breeders farm, with four barns on site. Barn 1 is empty, barn 2 contains 600 toms (approx.), barn 3 contains 3,000 hens (approx.) and barn 4 contains 3,800 hens (approx.). The hens in both barn 3 and 4 are 44 weeks old and were lethargic with a 45% decrease in egg production but the egg production has improved since the start of the event. No respiratory disease was observed. The mortality in the flock has not increased.

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection

• Unknown or inconclusive

Epidemiological comments

This is the first outbreak of Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI) detected in the province of Manitoba.

The farm has been quarantined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and investigation will be conducted in compliance with the Canada's Notifiable Avian Influenza Hazard Specific Plan. A stamping out policy will be applied.

Preliminary results from the National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg indicate the presence of a H5N2 subtype avian influenza virus (PCR).

Sequence analysis of the PCR products indicates that the cleavage site is consistent with low pathogenic avian influenza virus H5. Closest matches (99% identity) in Genbank are to North American H5N2 viruses from wild birds.

Virus isolation is underway and additional testing is to come, including the intravenous pathogenicity index test.

NAI surveillance has been in place in domestic poultry in Canada for many years and this outbreak is limited to the province of Manitoba.

Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: H5 and H7 avian influenza in its low pathogenic form in poultry is a notifiable disease as per Chapter 10.4. on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2010).

Control measures

Measures applied

• Quarantine
• Movement control inside the country
• Screening
• Vaccination prohibited
• No treatment of affected animals

Measures to be applied

• Stamping out
• Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)