Province announces 2006 surveillance plans for presence of wild bird diseases

The Department of Natural Resources today announced its plans for surveillance of the possible arrival of Avian Influenza to the province in cooperation with the federal government and the country�s veterinary colleges.

At the same time, six years of surveillance and research into the presence of the West Nile virus in this province has determined the province is too cold for the infection to occur. The province will continue to monitor and investigate any reports of multiple dead crows.

"The province does have the mosquito species necessary to transmit the disease, however, the temperatures do not stay consistently high long enough to allow the virus to multiply to the level required," said Dr. Hugh Whitney, provincial veterinarian. "It is one of the advantages of living in a cooler climate."

Sampling for Avian Influenza this summer and fall will involve live birds at a number of accessible sites based on their migratory patterns and therefore their chances of having been exposed to the virus. Dead birds of a broader range of species, found throughout the province, will be collected and tested as well.

"The disease may arrive with migratory birds coming from the North Atlantic this year or next, or it may die off and never be seen in North America. All we can do is monitor for it," said Dr. Hugh Whitney, the provincial veterinarian. "The risks to human health and the economic health of the poultry industry should be minimal if it does arrive. The commercial poultry business has for years been taking the biosecurity measures necessary to keep this and other diseases of wild birds out of their flocks."

Avian Influenza, particularly the Eurasian strain H5N1, has caused deaths in wild birds, domestic poultry and, in some cases, humans and is a major concern for animal and public health officials around the world. So far it has been found in Europe, Africa and Asia. Canadian and U.S. officials are establishing surveillance programs within their jurisdictions to look for the arrival of this virus.

In this province, the Department of Natural Resources will work together with the Canadian Wildlife Service (Environment Canada), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and veterinary colleges to sample live birds, collect dead birds and perform the necessary laboratory testing to determine whether the H5N1 virus has arrived in this province.

Anyone noticing any die-offs of wild bird species is asked to contact provincial conservation officers. It will then be investigated should the numbers and species indicate a concern. Preliminary testing for Avian Influenza was conducted on wild ducks in the St. John�s area for the first time in December 2005. A low pathogenic North American strain was found at that time, however, it is a strain expected to be found in these birds.

The provincial government announced $1.3 million in new funding in this year�s budget to ensure the appropriate level of staff and infrastructure are in place to manage the risk to the province�s growing livestock industry by emerging diseases, such as Avian Influenza.

Any questions on the province�s testing for Avian Influenza and West Nile virus should be directed to Dr. Hugh Whitney at (709) 729-6879.

Media contact: Tracy Barron, Communications, (709) 729-5282, 690-1703

2006 06 15                                            12:10 p.m.