Avian Influenza in Canada - CANADA - This is followup report No 1 via OIE on the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in Canada.

See also: 20 February 2004

Information received on 23 February 2004 from Dr Brian Evans, Executive Director, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ottawa:

End of previous report period: 19 February 2004 (see Disease Information, 17 [8], 53, dated 20 February 2004).

End of this report period: 23 February 2004.

Diagnosis:

The presumptive diagnosis was made on 17 February 2004 by the provincial laboratory in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The 52-week old flock of 9,000 birds experienced a drop in egg production and an increased mortality rate. The 24-week old flock of 9,000 birds experienced a 20% mortality rate in 48 hours.

Samples were sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where preliminary analysis on 19 February by haemagglutination inhibition test determined it to be the H7 strain. This finding was confirmed by RT-PCR⁽¹⁾. The sequencing assessment determined the strain to be of the low pathogenicity type. Further testing identified the neuraminidase sub-type on 23 February to be N3.

The results of the intravenous pathogenicity test are pending.

A. Laboratories where diagnosis was made:

- Provincial Laboratory in Abbotsford, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries (BCMAFF).

- National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease Laboratory, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

B. Diagnostic tests used: haemagglutination inhibition test, RT-PCR⁽¹⁾, sequencing.

C. Causal agent: avian influenza virus subtype H7N3.

Control measures during reporting period:

- The depopulation of the flock has been completed.

- A ring surveillance programme is under way within a 5-km radius of the index farm.

Source: Office International des Epizooties - 27th February 2004