Avian Influenza in Canada
CANADA - This is a report via OIE on the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in Canada.
23 February 2004
3 minute read
Emergency report
Information received on 19 February 2004 from Dr Brian Evans, Executive Director, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa:
Date of the report: 19 February 2004.
Date of initial detection of animal health incident: 17 February 2004.
Estimated date of primary infection: under investigation.
Outbreaks:
| Location | No. of outbreaks |
| Province of British Columbia | 1 |
Description of affected population: a broiler-breeding operation comprised of two units of approximately 9,000 birds each.
Total number of animals in the outbreak:
| species | susceptible | cases | deaths | destroyed | slaughtered |
| avi | approx. 18,000 | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Diagnosis: the presumptive diagnosis was made by a Provincial Laboratory in the Province of British Columbia on 18 February 2004. Samples were sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where preliminary analysis on 19 February has returned a probable H7 strain. Further sequencing assessment and strain typing is progressing.
Epidemiology: this outbreak was detected under a Provincial monitoring programme. Findings of low pathogenic strains of avian influenza related to persistent virus circulation in migratory birds and wild fowl have been known to occur.
Control measures: the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has quarantined the affected farm. Planning of the depopulation of the flock is progressing along with a ring surveillance programme.
Source: Office International des Epizooties - 20th February 2004
