Editorial - H1N1 Influenza Virus Found in Canadian Turkeys

The influenza A H1N1 flu virus has been found in turkeys on a farm in Ontario, Canada, this week. The producer immediately and voluntarily quarantined the infected birds and put movement controls in place. The Canadian authorities promptly reminded the public that food safety is not at risk, and turkey workers were recommended to get immunised against the H1N1 virus.

The previous reported H1N1 infection in poultry was in turkeys in Chile in August. So are turkeys more susceptible to the H1N1 virus than other poultry, as has been the case with the H5N1 avian influenza virus?

The two reported infections may appear to be contrary the results of a scientific paper from Italy, published this month, which indicates that turkeys are resistant to the human H1N1 virus. Before there is any over-reaction to the latest news, there are a number of reasons for this apparent discrepancy in addition to the mutation of the virus. There may be differences in the resistance of turkeys in Chile, Canada and Italy to the virus, or in the approach to reporting. In Chile and in the paper from Italy, only mild and non-specific symptoms were observed in the birds, nor raised mortality. So far, details of the severity of symptoms in the Canadian case have not been released. It may turn out simply to be the case that any drop in production in these valuable birds is swiftly investigated by veterinarians.

And finally, a decline in food-borne illness across the world is predicted by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority. Its success in halving the number of cases of disease from Campylobacter within three years is to be used as the basis of new guidelines to be published by the International Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) next year.

Jackie Linden

This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

Hubbard, CPGP Support Successful CPC Poultry School
EGYPT - Hubbard and CPGP have supported the successful 13th CPC Poultry School.

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Aviagen's European Team Focuses on Ventilation
NETHERLANDS - Aviagen's European technical team recently held a three-day meeting as part of the company's ongoing programme of improving customer support through effective information exchange and training.

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Avicola Calarasi Signs up for Petersime Hatchery
ROMANIA - Avicola Calarasi (Romania) has signed a hatchery modernisation project with Petersime.

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New Pfizer Animal Health is Unveiled
US - Following the acquisition of Wyeth, the addition of Fort Dodge Animal Health products diversifies and enhances Pfizer's already robust US portfolio.

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Global Poultry Industry News

General

 » BIRD FLU: First Evidence That AI is Spread Sexually

United States

 » Weekly US Broiler Hatchery Report
 » Weekly US Broiler Hatchery Report
 » Chemical-Free Processing Solution Granted Patent
 » Authorities Approve Acquisition of Pilgrim's by JBS
 » Renderers Partner With Poultry and Meat Processors
 » Monthly US Turkey Hatchery Report
 » Farmers Change Practices Ahead of Food Safety Laws
 » Feed Costs Likely to Rise as Midwest Weather Worsens
 » Meetings Scheduled on Interstate Meat Shipments
 » Dr Siddiqui Gets Backing for USTR Ag Position

India

 » Benefits from Poultry Manure: No Chicken Feed
 » Growth Expected at Venky's
 » Group Leader Urges State Govt to Promote Eggs

France

 » Penn Vet World Leadership Award 2009 Goes to Murphy
 » Evolving Veterinary Education for a Safer World

Canada

 » Research into Potential of Hemp Seed in Poultry Diets
 » H1N1 Flu Infects Turkeys in Canada
 » Investment Encouraged in Those Who Farm the Land

Slovenia

 » August 2009 Livestock Slaughter in Slovenia

Trinidad and Tobago

 » Indian Poultry Company Sponsors T&T Cricket Team

Angola

 » Angola's Producers Aim to Meet Demand

New Zealand

 » New Zealand Has Cut Campylobacter Cases by Half

Malaysia

 » DBE Gurney Acquires Majority Share of its Rival
 » Customer Service Increases US DDGS Demand

Japan

 » Entrepreneurs Experiment with Emu Enterprise

United Kingdom

 » Egg Producers' Plight Highlighted to Minister
 » Pork Purchases in the UK Catch up Poultry
 » Layer Cage Ban Hits German Egg Producers
 » Farmer Campaigns for the Return of Christmas Goose
 » Average UK Broiler Margin Less Than £20 Per Thousand
 » Advice to Caterers on Handling Eggs Safely
 » FAWC Publishes Landmark Report on Welfare
 » UFU Welcomes Clearer Poultry Meat Labelling
 » The Happy Egg Co. Secures Listing with Budgens

Oman

 » Sohar Poultry Acquired by Atyab-IFFCO JV

European Union

 » Hendrix Acquires Integra and Avigen

Cote D'Ivoire

 » Wild Birds in Ivory Coast Died from Bird Flu

Bhutan

 » Egg Sector Grows in Bhutan

Turkmenistan

 » First Poultry Complex for Turkmenistan

Panama

 » Avian Technology Opens Satellite Office in Panama

Russian Federation

 » Strong Performance from Cherkizovo

South Africa

 » Country Bird Looks Further Afield on Acquisition Trail

Venezuela

 » International Egg and Poultry Review

Switzerland

 » Newcastle Disease Reported in Switzerland

Thailand

 » Traders Export to Halt Fall of Local Egg Prices

Korea, South

 » Are Your Eggs All They're Cracked Up to Be?

That's all for this week!

Ed.