OTTAWA, February 9, 2007 Canada's second annual Wild Bird Survey for Avian Influenza
(AI) has concluded with more than 12,000 birds tested and no findings of highly pathogenic
strains of AI, including the Asian strain of H5N1.
Samples for this year's survey were collected from migratory and resident, live and
dead, birds across Canada. Additional sampling was conducted in Iceland which is a
mingling point for birds from North America and Europe.
Early detection of the influenza virus represents Canada's first line of defence.
Moreover, the survey provides animal health authorities with a deeper understanding of the
presence and characteristics of influenza viruses circulating in wild birds. Through a
better understanding of the viruses and its transmission, Canada is better able to deal
with potential AI threats to human and animal health.
Similar to the 2005 survey, this year's survey found various AI subtypes including H5
subtypes, which, along with H7 subtypes, are of particular interest to animal health
practitioners due to their potential to be highly pathogenic, or cause illness and death,
in domestic poultry. Finding avian influenza viruses in wild birds is not unexpected.
Influenza viruses commonly circulate in wild birds with little or no impact on the health
of the birds or other species.
Canada continues to monitor global AI developments very closely, particularly the
spread of the Asian strain of H5N1 AI. This strain, which is currently circulating in
Asia, Africa and Europe, has demonstrated the ability to affect poultry and wild birds as
well as humans and other mammalian species. While the Asian H5N1 strain has not been
detected in North America, Canada and the United States will continue to coordinate
surveillance efforts to provide an early warning in the event that the virus is carried to
this continent via wild birds.
Surveillance in wild birds is one of a series of AI prevention and preparedness
initiatives the Government of Canada has implemented in partnership with
provincial/territorial governments, industry and animal and public health practitioners.
Canada's wild bird survey is a cooperative effort involving the Government of Canada,
provincial and territorial governments, Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre
(CCWHC), non-governmental organizations and academia.
A summary of the survey results can be viewed at the CCWHC
website at: http://wildlife1.usask.ca/
For additional information
about AI prevention and preparedness, visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
website, at: http://www.inspection.gc.cahttp://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/avflu/avflue.shtml
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Contacts:
Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre
1-800-567-2033
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media Relations
613-228-6682
Environment Canada
Media Relations
1-888-908-8008
Avian
Influenza: Virus Backgrounder (Wild Birds)
Main Page - Avian Influenza
