February 12, 2009
CFIA confirms second avian flu case in British Columbia
An H5 type of avian influenza virus has been found in a second commercial poultry operation in southern British Columbia, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed late Wednesday (February 11).
The infected flock was discovered through surveillance initiated after a low-pathogenic, H5N2 type of avian influenza was found Jan. 24 in a commercial poultry flock in British Columbia. All poultry within a three-kilometre radius of the first infection site had been quarantined and tested for avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
Tests indicate that the strain of avian influenza on the second premises is also low pathogenic and similar to the strain found at the original poultry farm, CFIA said.
Further testing is underway to confirm precise subtype of the virus. Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds.
All birds on the second infected premises will be euthanized, the CFIA said.
The CFIA is also imposing poultry movement restrictions on commercial operations within three kilometres of the second infected premises and is placing quarantines on an additional 10 premises.
Thirty-three farms remain under quarantine as a result of the Jan. 24 avian influenza discovery, the CFIA said.
