Canada Reports First Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Commercial Poultry Since May
In an unfortunate development, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has resurfaced in Canada, marking the country’s first encounter with HPAI in a commercial poultry flock since May.
According to a recent report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the presence of HPAI was confirmed in a commercial poultry flock located in Warner County, Alberta, on September 14. The specific strain of HPAI identified in this case was of the H5N1 serotype.
The affected premises housed a mixed poultry farm that included turkeys, broilers, and layers. Tragically, out of the 1,960 susceptible birds in the flock, 390 had already succumbed to the virus.
Upon confirmation of the outbreak, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) acted swiftly by placing the affected premises under quarantine and implementing stringent movement controls, as reported by WOAH. Regrettably, in an effort to contain the outbreak, the remaining 1,570 birds had to be euthanized.
In addition to euthanasia, several other crucial control measures have been initiated, including disinfection, zoning, surveillance within and around the restricted zone, as well as the proper disposal of carcasses, byproducts, and waste.
Prior to this recent incident, Canada had not reported any cases of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock since May 6 when the virus was confirmed in a commercial poultry flock situated in the Les Maskoutains Regional County Municipality in Quebec. Furthermore, it had been a considerable period since HPAI had impacted a commercial poultry flock in Alberta, with the last outbreak occurring in Forty Mile County on November 15.
This unfortunate reoccurrence of HPAI serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges the poultry industry faces in safeguarding the health and well-being of its flocks. Vigilance, rapid response, and stringent biosecurity measures remain paramount in preventing the spread of avian influenza within poultry populations.
