OTTAWA, September 27, 2007 Highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza has been
detected in a commercial poultry operation in Saskatchewan, the Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA) announced today. This virus is not the same as the strain circulating in
Asia, Africa and Europe, which has been associated with human illness. H7N3 is not
normally associated with serious human illness.
Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry and poultry
products are properly handled and cooked. In this case, the affected birds were not
destined for immediate slaughter and were not producing eggs for human consumption.
All birds on the infected premises will be humanely euthanized and disposed of in
accordance with provincial regulations and internationally accepted disease control
guidelines. Normally, birds on any commercial operations within one kilometre of an
infected premises would also be destroyed, but early information indicates that no such
operations are present in the immediate area.
Once all birds have been removed, the CFIA will oversee the cleaning and disinfection
of the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools to eliminate any infectious material that may
remain.
To limit any potential virus spread, the CFIA will apply restrictions on the movement
of poultry and poultry products within three kilometres of the infected premises. As an
additional safeguard, any poultry operations within ten kilometres of the infected
premises will be closely and regularly monitored for signs of illness.
The CFIA is investigating the recent movement of birds, bird products and equipment
onto and off of the property. Through this activity, additional cases of infection may be
detected.
The CFIA's actions are consistent with internationally recognized animal health
guidelines and the CFIAs established avian influenza response protocols.
It may be difficult to identify the source of the virus, but the possibility of
exposure to wild waterfowl-which are the natural hosts for the virus-cannot be discounted.
Poultry owners are urged to take an active role in protecting their flocks by keeping them
away from wild birds and areas frequented by wild birds.
Under the Health of Animals Act, the CFIA has authority to compensate
producers for animals ordered destroyed during disease responses. The producer might also
be eligible for assistance under other Government of Canada or provincial programs.
The Province of Saskatchewan and industry are actively collaborating in this response
effort. The CFIA wishes to acknowledge the responsible actions of the owner, who reported
signs of illness at the earliest possible moment. This commitment to animal health
protection has maximized the Agencys ability to contain and eliminate this situation
as quickly as possible.
New information emerging from the CFIAs activities will be provided to the public
as it becomes available.
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For information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: 613-228-6682
Main Page - Avian Influenza
