April 21, 2004

Bird Flu Spread In Canada Slowing Down
 
Bird flu has spread to two more sites in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, bringing the number of infected areas to 31. But experts are optimistic the spread of the virus is slowing, and that the disease is well on its way to being contained.
 
"The fact that we have found only two new cases, and we expect to see fewer cases as we move forward, suggests we may be getting ahead of the disease," Dr. Cornelius Kiley, a Canadian Food Inspection Agency expert, told a press conference on Tuesday.
 
The new cases were found on farms in the Greater Abbotsford Area and the Cloverdale area near Surrey, some 40 kilometres apart. Both areas had previously been infected. The number of infected backyard flocks remains at 10, a number unchanged for at least a week.
 
All of the birds in the 31 infected sites, and within a one-kilometre radius surrounding each area, have been killed, CFIA officials announced Tuesday.
 
The infected flocks comprised 950,000 birds, of which more than 80 per cent have been disposed of. The remaining birds, 175,000 from five farms, await disposal.
 
A massive cull of all commercial poultry flocks in an area 130 kilometres long by 50 kilometres wide was ordered in Canada earlier this month. The unprecedented move aimed to stem the spread of avian influenza in the Fraser Valley.
 
Most of the estimated 19 million affected birds are chickens. But turkeys, farmed geese and ducks are included as well. Bird owners will be given compensation for their destroyed birds.
 
Flocks will be deemed negative if no further sites in the cull area test positive for the disease. Birds will then be sent to rendering plants for eventual consumption, Dr. Cornelius said.
 
But even infected chicken is safe for consumption, if it is thoroughly cooked at a temperature of at least 74 degrees celsius.
 
The government has placed strict restrictions on the movement of birds and eggs in the Fraser Valley, including farm gate sales of eggs.
 
"Buyers and sellers should be aware that fines could be issued if prohibited products are moved illegally," Dr. Cornelius said.
 
He also asked pet bird owners to take "common sense approaches." For example, he urged them not to pack up their pet birds in an RV and take them along on a trip to Vancouver Island.
 
The CFIA is considering exceptions to the cull in cases of exotic or genetically rare bird species.
 
By assessing their genetic value and the extent to which each bird was kept from exposure to avian influenza, a committee will make decisions on a case-by-case basis in the coming days, Dr. Cornelius added.
 
He further noted that pigeons would be exempted from the slaughter, since they are incapable of carrying the virus.
 
However, movement of pigeons is still restricted. This is due to the fact that the pigeons could act as mechanical vectors, meaning the virus could hitch a ride in their feathers.
 
Avian flu has not infected any more people, apart from the two workers who caught the virus while handling chickens several weeks ago. They have since recovered.
 
Although this particular strain, known as H7N3, is fatal to chickens, it does not pose a serious risk to humans and causes only mild symptoms such as pink eye.