20.11.2005

The Government of Canada announced that the wild birds from Quebec, Manitoba and British Columbia tested as part of a national wild bird survey are free of the strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza responsible for animal and human illness in Southeast Asia.
Molecular testing of samples collected from the three provinces ruled out the Asian strain of avian influenza and confirmed that the viruses are low pathogenic. Further analysis definitively identified the presence of low-pathogenic North American subtypes H5N3 in Quebec birds, H5N1 in Manitoba, and H5N9 and H5N2 in British Columbia.

These subtypes have been previously observed in North America (H5N1 ? - N.E.) and none are of significant concern from an animal health perspective with biosecurity measures already in effect. The Public Health Agency of Canada has been working with the CFIA on the testing and has determined that there is no information in these findings suggesting a new threat to human health.
The national wild bird survey includes samples taken from migratory birds along significant flyways in seven provinces, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario and Alberta. Ontario has completed preliminary screening and samples identified as H5 are now undergoing confirmatory testing at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg.
Animal and human health specialists from the federal government will examine subtypes from the four remaining provinces to rule out the Asian H5N1 strain and determine pathogenicity. Results will be posted on the CFIA’s Website.
The wild bird survey is a joint initiative of the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre, the Government of Canada, and provincial governments. The goal of the project is to better understand the presence and characteristics of all avian influenza viruses circulating in Canada’s wild bird population. Sampling of birds was conducted along migratory flight paths in seven provinces (CFIA).