Avian Influenza in Canada - CANADA - This is follow up report No 6 via OIE on the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in Canada.

See also: 16th April 2004, 9th April 2004, 9th April 2004, 2nd April 2004, 19th March 2004, 12th March 2004, 5th March 2004, 27 February 2004, 20 February 2004

Information received on 5 May 2004 from Dr Brian Evans, Executive Director, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Ottawa:

End of previous report period: 14 April 2004 (see Disease Information, 17 [16], 113, dated 16 April 2004).

End of this report period: 3 May 2004.

As of 3 May 2004, in the overall Control Area, a total of 40 commercial flocks have tested positive for avian influenza:

- 13 premises within the 5-km ‘High-Risk Region’, where the index case was diagnosed;

- 5 premises within the 10-km ‘Surveillance Region’ surrounding the‘High-Risk Region’;

- 22 premises outside the ‘Surveillance Region’, but within the limits of the Control Area that was established to contain the outbreak.

These 40 farms raised a total of 1,205,133 birds which have been eliminated.

147 birds have also been destroyed in 10 positive backyard flocks.

As planned, the CFIA is now depopulating all flocks within the Control Area targeting first those flocks where disease is confirmed or suspected and those premises within a 1-km radius of such premises.

The birds from flocks testing negative can be sent to slaughter. To date, over 200 such farms have been identified. The birds are subjected to federal ante- and post-mortem inspection, and the derived products destined for human consumption may be moved out of the Control Area under permit. However, such products are prohibited from entering federally registered processing or storage establishments elsewhere in Canada and will be clearly marked to limit their use to direct retail, hospital, restaurant or institutional use in Canada (domestic consumption).

Regular updates are available on the CFIA website.

Source: Office International des Epizooties - 7th May 2004