Third Ontario Farm Hit By HPAI H5

 

 

# 9982

 

Although Canada’s food Inspection Agency CFIA hasn’t exactly shouted the news from the highest rooftop, over the past several days their Avian Influenza Website has quietly updated a timeline and infected premises table showing a third Ontario farm has tested positive for the HPAI H5 virus.

 

Timeline of Events - Notifiable Avian Influenza - Ontario – 2015

April 24

The CFIA notifies national industry associations and key international trading partners of IP3.

April 23

The Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph notifies the CFIA of the detection of presumptive H5 avian influenza at a turkey farm in Oxford County, Ontario. This is IP3.

The premises has been under quarantine since April 19, 2015 and is part of the second avian influenza control zone.

Samples from the affected farm are sent to the CFIA National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) for official confirmation.

 

 

The last statement from the CFIA, released on the 22nd (see The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Establishes a Second Avian Influenza Control Zone) dealt with the second infected premises.  This morning, the Ottawa Sun and Toronto Sun are both carrying a report on this third infected farm.

 

Third Ontario farm hit with deadly bird flu

 

Megan Stacey, Postmedia Network

First posted: Monday, April 27, 2015 07:14 AM EDT | Updated: Monday, April 27, 2015 07:19 AM EDT

WOODSTOCK, Ont. -- The strain has begun to wear on Southwestern Ontario poultry farmers now battling a third case of deadly bird flu.

This one -- an 8,00-bird turkey farm -- is within a quarantine zone where heightened levels of biosecurity were meant to safeguard against the virus.

(Continue . . . )

HPAI H5: 2nd Outbreak In Ontario, Changes In APHIS Reporting

HPAI H5 Detections In North America

 

# 9956

From Canada’s CFIA we get word this weekend that a second farm in Oxford County, Ontario has tested positive for HPAI H5 (sub-typing pending) – roughly 11 days after the first farm in the county seat Woodstock was reported infected (see CFIA: H5 Avian Flu Found On Ontario Turkey Farm).

These two southern Ontario detections represent the farthest eastward expansion of the H5 virus we’ve seen this year, although based on its rapid jump from the Pacific Northwest, there is little reason to believe it will stop their.

First the CFIA report, then I’ll return with some change to the way APHIS will now report outbreaks in the United States.

 

Avian influenza confirmed on second farm in Southern Ontario

OTTAWA, April 18, 2015

Preliminary testing by the Province of Ontario has confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza on a second farm in Oxford County, Ontario. The farm is a broiler breeder chicken farm.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has placed the farm under quarantine to control disease spread and the poultry industry has been notified to adopt enhanced biosecurity practices. Further testing by the CFIA is underway to confirm pathogenicity and to determine the precise subtype and strain of the virus. Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds.

Avian influenza does not pose a risk to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. Avian influenza rarely affects humans that do not have consistent contact with infected birds. Public health authorities stand ready to take precautionary measures as warranted.

Initial tests for the disease were conducted on April 17, 2015 at the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph, after the chicken farm experienced sudden deaths of birds over several days.

All birds on the infected premises will be humanely destroyed and disposed of, in accordance with provincial environmental regulations and internationally accepted disease control guidelines. As lead response agency the CFIA will ensure the quarantine of the infected farm, and determine a surrounding surveillance zone for further testing and movement control measures. The CFIA will also lead on required depopulation of birds, while the Province 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 Province of Ontario, the CFIA, 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.

- 30 -

 

 

Meanwhile, in the United States these HPAI H5 virus continue to spread, hitting farms from California to Arkansas.  Hardest hit – with 26 turkey farms affected (as of 4/16) – has been Minnesota.  

 

Up until mid-week, the USDA’s APHIS (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service) had been releasing a Stakeholder Announcement for each outbreak, some days resulting in 4 or 5 new statements being issued each day.

 

On Thursday I noted that an outbreak in Roberts County, SD had been added to the list, but no formal announcement had been posted.  The following day, an that outbreak was announced, with the following advisory indicating that because of the sheer volume, Stakeholder Announcements would be henceforth be published for detections in new states, a new flyway, or the discovery of a new strain.

 

Since the beginning of the HPAI H5 outbreaks, USDA has been committed to transparency in announcing these detections. Delivering factual, timely information is a priority for USDA.  Because more detections are expected during the Spring migration, USDA will streamline its announcements through daily GovDelivery messages as well as continue posting the new cases on the APHIS website.  And In the event of HPAI H5 detections in a new state and/or new flyway or detections of new strains, USDA APHIS will issue only a stakeholder announcement and post the findings on its AI website.

 

What we have now is a master list of cases, along with an interactive list that allows the viewer to drill down to any specific state’s information. 

 

In many ways this will be more convenient, although we may not be getting updates in quite as timely of fashion as under the older format. In some cases we may also see instances where states will have reported cases before they appear on the APHIS list.

 

The most recent update to the APHIS master list – current through 4/16/15 – puts the total number of commercial birds affected by these viruses at 2,670,890.

CFIA: Ontario HPAI Outbreak Identified As H5N2

 

# 9916

 

We’ve been awaiting the results from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) which is investigating a farm in Southern Ontario, near Woodstock, which tested positive for an HPAI H5 virus on April 6th.   This afternoon the verdict was announced, and not unexpectedly it is HPAI H5N2.

This is the same strain that appeared in British Columbia in December and has hop scotched across a dozen American states over the past several months, infecting both wild and migratory birds and poultry.

 

Although only one farm has tested positive for the virus, 9 farms are under quarantine and are being tested. Of 34,000 turkeys at the infected farm, 7,500 have already died and the remainder will be destroyed. Helen Branswell has a few more details in the following Canadian Press report.

 

Ont. bird flu outbreak caused by H5N2, same virus that hit B.C. in December

By Helen Branswell, The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press 

TORONTO - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the virus responsible for a bird flu outbreak in southwestern Ontario is a highly pathogenic H5N2 virus.

The virus is the same one that caused a large outbreak in British Columbia that started last December and which has been found in a number of U.S. states more recently.

(Continue . . . )

CFIA Update: No New HPAI Outbreaks In British Columbian Poultry

Credit CFIA

 

# 9552

 

It has been a while since we’ve seen an update from CFIA – Canada’s Food Inspection Agency – on the H5N2 outbreak in British Columbia, but sometimes no news is good news. Last night the agency posted the following statement asserting that no new poultry outbreaks have been detected since December 19th.

 

Update on avian influenza situation in British Columbia

January 8, 2015

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is continuing its response to an outbreak of avian influenza in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.

No new sites have been identified since December 19, 2014, and depopulation of the infected premises is complete. The Agency is monitoring the progress of disposal of dead birds, and cleaning and disinfection of barns, vehicles, equipment and tools on the infected premises.

The CFIA continues to work closely with the Province of British Columbia, the owners of the infected birds, and the poultry industry to manage this outbreak. Surveillance of domestic poultry within the primary control zone is ongoing. Movement restrictions for poultry and poultry products are still in place. Compensation for affected farmers is rolling out on schedule.

Disease control measures will remain in place for 21 days after the cleaning and disinfection of all confirmed infected premises is complete, providing there have been no positive results from surveillance activities.

Strict surveillance will continue in the area for the next 90 days. If no additional cases of avian influenza are found within this period, the zone can be considered free of avian influenza.

The CFIA continues to urge poultry farmers to take an active role in protecting their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on their property, and to immediately report any suspicious symptoms.

Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked.

For more information on avian influenza and measures poultry farmers can take to protect their flocks, please visit the CFIA web site at inspection.gc.ca.

 

CFIA List of Infected Commercial & Non-Commercial Premises

 

While there are optimistic signs that British Columbia’s poultry outbreak has been contained, with recent detections of HPAI H5 viruses in wild and migratory birds Washington, Oregon, and California, concerns remain over just how much of a threat they will pose to Canadian and American poultry interests in the future.

CFIA: 11th Poultry Operation Identified With H5N2

Credit CFIA

 

# 9461

 

Overnight a new farm was added to the CFIA’s  Infected Premises List,  a second chicken farm in the Langley, B.C. area very near Vancouver.

 

Meanwhile, just south of the Canadian border - in Washington State – at least two wild birds have tested positive for HPAI H5 avian viruses (see OIE/APHIS: HPAI H5N8 & H5N2 Detected In Washington State Wild Birds), although no poultry farm infections have been reported.

 

The state department of Agriculture is advising poultry raisers to stay alert.

Canada: CFIA Statement On Genetic Sequencing Of H5N2

Credit CFIA

 

# 9459

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), has posted the follow statement characterizing the HPAI H5N2 virus that was first detected on a Fraser Valley poultry farm 18 days ago.   It is confirmed to be a reassortant between the Eurasian H5N8  virus and a North American avian flu virus.

 

The number of farms affected in Canada remains steady at 10 (see Infected Premises Chart), affecting nearly 240,000 birds.  

 

The announcement this week of wild birds in neighboring Washington State testing positive for both a similar H5N8 virus and HPAI H5N2 (see OIE/APHIS: HPAI H5N8 & H5N2 Detected In Washington State Wild Birds) add yet another layer of complexity to this evolving story.  

 

How and precisely when H5N8 arrived in North America has yet to be established, and steps are now underway to try to determine just how widespread this viral incursion has become.  This from the CFIA website:

 

Virus Sequencing

December 17, 2014

Scientists at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's (CFIA) National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) have confirmed that the virus detected in BC poultry is highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N2. This virus contains gene segments from the highly pathogenic Eurasian H5N8 virus, including the H5 gene, and segments from typical North American viruses, including the N2 gene.

This is the first time a Eurasian lineage highly pathogenic H5 virus has caused an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry in North America.

The appearance of this particular reassortant virus is significant due to its ability to cause high mortality in domestic poultry. The CFIA continues to take swift action in response to this virus.

While there are no reports of H5N2 related illness in humans, as a precautionary measure public health officials are monitoring workers who are exposed to affected poultry.

Wild bird testing conducted to date has not yet detected this strain in Canada. Further studies to evaluate the risk to wild birds are being undertaken.

Poultry farmers are encouraged to protect their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on farm, and immediately reporting suspicious symptoms to the CFIA.

CFIA: 9th Poultry Operation Affected By H5N2 In BC

Credit CFIA

 

# 9434

 

Not unexpectedly – since we were informed an additional farm was being tested earlier in the week (see CFIA Statement: H5N2 Expands To 2 More Farms In BC) – the 9th poultry operation in Southern British Columbia has been found to be infected with the HPAI H5N2 virus.

Late yesterday the CFIA posted the following chart listing affected operations.

 

Newly added is a chicken farm in Abbotsford, BC where about 7,000 birds will be destroyed.

 

Unlike some of the other H5 avian flu viruses, H5N2 is not viewed as posing a serious human health threat (see WHO: Human Risk From H5N2 Is Low), although we have seen some limited evidence that H5N2 might be able to infect humans (see Taiwan: Three Poultry Workers Show H5N2 Antibodies).

 

This is the fourth outbreak of avian flu in the Fraser Valley region over the past decade. The biggest by far was an H7N3 outbreak in 2004 that required the culling of 17 million birds, cost the Canadian economy tens of millions of dollars, and resulted in at least two mild human infections (see EID Journal report Human Illness from Avian Influenza H7N3, British Columbia)

Since then there have been three H5N2 outbreaks (2005, 2009 & 2014), with the first two being LPAI (low pathogenic) and this latest one HPAI (Highly pathogenic).

CFIA Statement: H5N2 Expands To 2 More Farms In BC

Credit CFIA

 

# 9430

 

It’s been less than two weeks since we learned of the outbreak of HPAI H5N2 on two farm in the Fraser Valley region of British Columbia (see Fraser Valley B.C. Culling Poultry After Detecting H5 Avian Flu).  While this H5N2 bird flu strain is highly pathogenic to birds, it is considered to have very low potential for infecting humans.

 

While there were initial hopes that the biosecurity measures in place would limit the impact to these two sites, over past week we’ve seen a slow trickle of reports of other farms in the area affected.   

 

So far this outbreak is nowhere near the scale of what we saw in 2004 with H7N3, but not as well contained as either of the two LPAI H5N2 outbreaks of the last decade (2005 & 2009).  According to a Globe & Mail report last night, more than 150,000 birds have either died or will be culled.

 

The following CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) report brings the total to 7 farms (with two separate operations on one of the farms), and mentions testing at a 9th facility is underway.  It would not be unexpected if additional sites are identified in the coming days.

 

 

Update on avian influenza situation in British Columbia

December 10, 2014

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is continuing its investigation into an outbreak of avian influenza in British Columbia's Fraser Valley. As part of this investigation, two additional farms have been identified as having avian influenza.

The province of British Columbia has confirmed the presence of avian influenza on these farms. This identification of additional farms is not unexpected as avian influenza is highly contagious between birds and can spread rapidly. 

Both of these farms are close to one of the initial farms identified as part this outbreak.

The fact that these farms were identified quickly underscores industry's commitment to supporting the response effort by immediately reporting any signs of illness. 

In addition, another barn located on one of the previously-identified infected sites has been confirmed to have avian influenza. As this barn is legally considered a separate business entity, we are treating it as a new infected premises, bringing the total to eight.

The province of British Columbia has also notified the CFIA of another farm where avian influenza is suspected. If confirmed, this would be the ninth infected premises. Testing is underway, and results are expected within the next day.

As part of regular investigation activities, the Agency is fully tracing movements in and out of these sites. This may lead to further premises being identified and depopulated, which would not be unexpected.

Birds have been humanely euthanized on four farms, and depopulation activities have begun on the fifth farm. The remaining farms will be depopulated in the coming days.

The CFIA continues to urge poultry farmers to take an active role in protecting their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on their property, and to immediately report any suspicious symptoms to the CFIA.

Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. 

The CFIA has mobilized all available resources to manage this situation. The Agency continues to work closely with the Province of British Columbia, the owners of the infected birds, and the poultry industry to manage this outbreak.

For more information on avian influenza and measures poultry farmers can take to protect their flocks, please visit the CFIA web site at inspection.gc.ca.

Date modified:

2014-12-10

CFIA Sets Bird Flu Control Zones In BC

Credit Wikipedia – British Columbia

 

# 9423

 

Last night CFIA  (the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) outlined new steps to control the spread of the HPAI (Highly Pathogenic) H5N2 virus detected last week at 5 poultry operations in southern British Columbia.   

 

Fully half of the province – everything south of Highway 16 – becomes part of the primary control zone.

 

Although no new farms have been announced as infected, surveillance and biosecurity measures will remain elevated for weeks to come.

 

CFIA establishes primary control zone to prevent spread of avian influenza in British Columbia

December 8, 2014

In order to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in British Columbia, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has established a primary control zone in the area where the disease has been identified.

The Province of British Columbia and the poultry industry support this decision and are working together with the CFIA to implement it.

Avian influenza is highly contagious between birds and can spread rapidly. Because southern British Columbia has a high concentration of poultry operations, the primary control zone covers an area beyond the premises that are currently affected.

The primary control zone is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean, on the south by the United States border, on the north by Highway 16, and on the east by the border between British Columbia and Alberta.

The primary control zone is divided into three disease control zones: infected, restricted and security. The three zones represent relative levels of risk and movement restrictions vary accordingly. Most of the restrictions apply to the infected and restricted zones because of the greater potential that the virus can spread.

Within the primary control zone, there are three disease control sub-zones: infected, restricted and security.

• The outer boundary of an infected zone is up to 3 km from any known infected premises.
• The restricted zone is established surrounding the infected zone and measured based on the epidemiology of the disease in order to prevent the spread of avian influenza (3 km to 10 km).
• The security zone is the remainder of the primary control zone (beyond 10 km).

The movement restrictions apply to:

• captive birds (including but not limited to poultry, fowl and pet birds);
• poultry products or by-products;
• anything that has been exposed to captive birds (which could include but is not limited to feed, vehicles, equipment or clothing).

All movement of captive birds in and out of, and through this zone is strictly controlled and requires a permit from the CFIA. The movement restrictions also apply to poultry products and by-products and material that has come into contact with captive birds.

Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. Avian influenza rarely affects humans that do not have consistent contact with infected birds. Public health authorities stand ready to take precautionary measures as warranted.

Poultry farmers are urged to take an active role in protecting their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on their property, and immediately reporting any suspicious symptoms to the CFIA.

For more information on avian influenza and measures poultry farmers can take to protect their flocks, please visit the CFIA web site at inspection.gc.ca.

Date modified:

2014-12-08