Two avian influenza outbreaks in Canada confirmed

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  Andrea Gantz

  Avian influenza has been confirmed at a broiler breeder operation and a turkey farm in British Columbia, Canada.

  From WATTAgNet:
  Avian influenza has been detected at two poultry operations in the Canadian province of British Columbia, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported.
  The affected operations include a turkey farm in Abbotsford and a broiler breeding facility in Chilliwack. The two farms are about eight kilometers away from each other.
  Preliminary tests show the virus found is of the H5 variety, according to Dr. Harpreet Kochhar, chief veterinary officer with the CFIA, but the exact serotype is not known at this time.
  The source of the avian influenza outbreaks has yet to be identified, said Kochhar.
  Of the nearly 11,000 turkeys at the Abbotsford operation, about half have died. The farm in Chilliwack is the home of about 7,000 birds, with an estimated 1,000 having died. Culling efforts will be conducted with the remaining susceptible birds at both properties, and quarantines have been established.
  The CFIA will also lead on required depopulation of birds, while the Province of British Columbia will provide technical support on required carcass disposal. 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.
  The government entities, the owners of the infected birds, and the Canadian poultry industry are working together to manage the situation, stated Chicken Farmers of Canada. Both levels of government will work with the poultry industry to address issues as they emerge.
  Avian influenza has been a big source of concern for the global poultry industry in recent months, as outbreaks have also been confirmed in The Netherlands, U.K., Germany, India and Japan.