The locations of the farms have not been made known, but one is believed to be in the Waterloo area and the other in the London area. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Service, the facility has been quarantined and a 10-kilometer biological control zone has been set up. Industry leaders say everyone is on the alert. “All the producers know this very well. everyone will be very careful about who goes to their property, what happens around it. “Certainly all producers will be very careful,” said Brian Ricker, president of Turkey Farmers of Ontario. The H5N1 virus is present in Atlantic Canada, several US states and Europe. Shayan Sharif, a professor at the Ontario College of Veterinary Medicine in Guelph, says the impact was severe south of the border. “So far in the United States, about 14 to 15 million birds have been killed, destroyed,” Sharif said. The H5N1 strain is not common in humans and industry leaders say it is highly unlikely that the contaminated product will hit the market. They say that even if it happens, proper cooking will kill the virus. “The temperature required to kill bird flu is lower than it is to kill salmonella, so if you cook your chicken and eggs properly, it is not a food safety issue,” said Lisa Bishop-Spencer. , Communications Director for Chicken Farmers in Canada.
FULL STATEMENT BY CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed two cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI), subtype H5N1, in two separate flocks of poultry in southern Ontario this week. To control any possible spread of the disease, the CFIA has quarantined the facility and introduced traffic control measures and recommended enhanced biosecurity for other farms within a ten-kilometer radius. Artificial intelligence is spreading to wild bird populations around the world and is a major national concern as birds migrate to Canada. The CFIA continues to remind anyone with poultry or other vulnerable birds to practice good biosecurity habits to protect themselves from infectious animal diseases. This is not the first time artificial intelligence has been detected in Canada. The last confirmed cases were in February and March 2022 in Nova Scotia and in January 2022 and December 2021 in Newfoundland and Labrador, which were limited. Artificial intelligence is appearing worldwide, with confirmed cases so far this year in Canada, the United States and throughout Asia and Europe. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency works to eliminate and prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza to poultry while minimizing the effects of the disease on Canadians. This work includes:
Quarantine of involved areas to prevent the spread of diseases. Negotiate with key trading partners to identify control zones to minimize the effects of trade disruptions. Active cooperation with industry, provincial governments and indigenous partners on response and recovery actions; Reminding poultry owners to protect their flocks with biosecurity measures and indicating any signs of illness; and Imposition of strict requirements for the import of animals and animal products from countries where bird flu is known to be present.
Preventing the spread of artificial intelligence is best achieved through strict biosecurity measures designed to protect poultry flocks from TN and other common poultry diseases. All people with poultry should ensure that biosecurity measures are in place to protect their vulnerable species. Poultry owners can practice good biosecurity by taking the following precautions:
Avoid contact of wild birds with poultry, as well as with their food and water Maintain strict access to poultry farms, restricting access to people who should be there Require all people entering the poultry area to disinfect their shoes, wash their hands and wear clean clothes. Make sure the equipment has been cleaned and disinfected before transporting it to poultry farms Avoid having bird feeders and duck ponds near poultry barns as they attract wild birds. Maintain high standards of hygiene
More resources are available on the CFIA Website for Pet Grooming and Poultry Producers and Owners:
5 rules for preventing and detecting diseases in backyard herds and poultry Protect your flock from bird flu General Producer Guide – National Farm Bird Safety Standard National bird biosafety standard on farm
The CFIA works closely with provincial and indigenous partners, as well as industry stakeholders and business partners to eradicate the disease, prevent further spread, and minimize the impact on trade.
The steps involved in an AI response typically include the following:
movement restrictions and controls e.g. quarantines, permits. sample submission; research; destruction and disposal; and cleaning and disinfection.
