H5 Avian Flu Not Found in B.C.

OTTAWA - May 14/04 - SNS -- Officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have confirmed that diseased geese on a farm in British Columbia's Fraser Valley were not infected with either H5 or H7 avian influenza. There is strong evidence indicating the geese were exposed to the H6 avian influenza virus. The H6 virus is not associated with serious animal or human illness.

Initial investigation gave cause for suspicion of an H5 infection on the farm. Further testing revealed with greater certainty that there was no H5 or H7 infection in the geese but rather a strong indication of exposure to H6. Additional tests currently underway may further define the virus type in the geese. Further testing will also determine the type of virus present in the ducks on the farm.

The flock was located within three kilometers of three known infected premises and was targeted for depopulation as part of the CFIA’s avian influenza response. The regional depopulation of animals in response to contagious diseases such as avian influenza reflects internationally accepted animal disease management strategies.

Detecting various subtypes of the avian influenza virus is not surprising, particularly in birds such as geese and ducks that are usually raised outdoors. Under such conditions, commercial birds would have contact with wild birds, which are known to carry various subtypes of the virus. Most subtypes carried by wild birds are low pathogenic and do not cause serious illness in birds. Neither clinical signs nor high mortality were observed in this flock.

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