The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed cases of H5N1 in multiple locations
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
More Canadian provinces have confirmed cases of H5N1, a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed cases of the virus on farms in Alberta.
Between April 6 and 9, the CFIA has confirmed the presence of the virus in multiple flocks:
- Two in Mountain View County on April 6,
- One in Ponoka County on April 6,
- One in Kneehill County on April 8, and
- One in Paintearth County on April 9.
“Each infected premises has been placed under quarantine,” the CFIA says in an update. “CFIA has begun an investigation and will be establishing movement control measures on other farms within that area.”
Another case has been identified in a poultry flock in Wetaskiwin County on April 10.
This information comes from the Alberta Poultry Industry Emergency Management Team (APIEMT).
The group is made up of organizations representing poultry and egg producers.
APIEMT is in contact with CFIA and Alberta Agriculture “to expedite the investigation of suspected cases and mitigate the potential risk of further spread of (avian influenza) in Alberta,” an APIEMT statement says.
Saskatchewan has its first case of HPAI too.
The provincial agriculture ministry received CFIA confirmation that a snow goose discovered near Elrose, Sask. tested positive for H5N1, an April 8 update says.
This marks the first time HPAI has been detected in Saskatchewan since 2007.
With Alberta and Saskatchewan in the fold, Manitoba remains the only Canadian province without a case of HPAI.