NLIS 5
November 25, 2005
(Natural Resources)
Maritime results for avian
influenza in waterfowl released
Preliminary testing of 710 healthy, wild,
migratory ducks in the Maritime Provinces has revealed 35 positive results for
the H5 avian influenza virus.
Bird sample collection is expected to start late in November in Newfoundland and
Labrador in the St. John�s area (Quidi Vidi Lake) and results will be announced
once completed.
The Maritime preliminary results do not indicate an increased threat to human
health or commercial poultry flocks.
The survey samples, taken from young, live and healthy birds, were collected by
the Canadian Wildlife Service during routine banding of migratory waterfowl. The
survey is a joint initiative of the federal and provincial governments through
the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre. These preliminary results,
which were carried out at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, PEI,
are similar to findings in other areas of Canada.
Many of the ducks were from the Tantramar marshes near the Nova Scotia-New
Brunswick border. Although no bird sample collection has occurred in
Newfoundland and Labrador to date, the Atlantic provinces share a common
waterfowl migratory route so results from one area likely represent results for
the entire region.
The positive samples have been sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal
Disease in Winnipeg to confirm the preliminary results and to further determine
the subtypes of the viruses. This analysis would also rule out the virus strain
currently present in Asia and Europe. Migratory birds are known to carry
influenza viruses and it is unlikely the viruses are the same as those currently
found in Asia and Europe. Results will be available soon.
Federal and provincial governments will continue to monitor the health of wild
and domestic birds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a general
notice to poultry producers, reminding them to always follow strict biosecurity
practices.
For more information on testing results and avian flu see the Web site at
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml
For more information contact:
Dr. Hugh Whitney, Provincial Veterinarian,
Natural Resources, (709) 729-6879
Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust, Atlantic Veterinary College, P.E.I., (902) 566-0667
CFIA Media Relations, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, (613) 228-6682
Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications,
(709) 729-5282, 685-4624
2005 11 25
1:20 p.m. |