OIE: Low pathogenic avian influenza (poultry), Canada

Information received on 25/11/2010 from Dr Brian Evans, Chief Food Safety Officer/Chief Veterinary Officer, Office of the President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OTTAWA, Canada

Summary

Report type Immediate notification
Start date 17/11/2010
Date of first confirmation of the event 23/11/2010
Report date 24/11/2010
Date submitted to OIE 25/11/2010
Reason for notification Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of previous occurrence 11/03/2009
Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
Causal agent Low pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N2
Nature of diagnosis Laboratory (advanced)
This event pertains to a defined zone within the country

New outbreaks

Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 1
Location(s)
  • MANITOBA (Rockwood municipality)
Total animals affected
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 7400 3000 0 0 0
Outbreak statistics
Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
Birds 40.54% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%

* Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter

Epidemiology

Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
  • Unknown or inconclusive
Epidemiological comments This is the first outbreak of Notifiable Avian Influenza (NAI) detected in the province of Manitoba.
The farm has been quarantined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and investigation will be conducted in compliance with the Canada´s Notifiable Avian Influenza Hazard Specific Plan. A stamping out policy will be applied.
Preliminary results from the National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg indicate the presence of a H5N2 subtype avian influenza virus (PCR).
Sequence analysis of the PCR products indicates that the cleavage site is consistent with low pathogenic avian influenza virus H5. Closest matches (99% identity) in Genbank are to North American H5N2 viruses from wild birds.
Virus isolation is underway and additional testing is to come, including the intravenous pathogenicity index test.
NAI surveillance has been in place in domestic poultry in Canada for many years and this outbreak is limited to the province of Manitoba.

Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: H5 and H7 avian influenza in its low pathogenic form in poultry is a notifiable disease as per Chapter 10.4. on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2010).

Control measures

Measures applied
  • Quarantine
  • Movement control inside the country
  • Screening
  • Vaccination prohibited
  • No treatment of affected animals
Measures to be applied
  • Stamping out
  • Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)

Diagnostic test results

Laboratory name and type Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Veterinary Diagnostic Services (Local laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 23/11/2010 Positive
Laboratory name and type CFIA - National Center for Foreign Animal Diseases (National laboratory)
Tests and results
Species Test Test date Result
Birds nucleotide sequencing 24/11/2010 Positive
Birds real-time PCR 24/11/2010 Positive

Future Reporting

The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.