Preliminary Finding: Bird Flu Arrives in North America

by Barbara Kram, Editor | June 21, 2006

The Canadian government has reported a preliminary finding of avian influenza on Prince Edward Island.

As a precautionary measure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with the Government of Prince Edward Island, has implemented disease control measures in and around a premises in western Prince Edward Island where a young goose in a backyard flock tested positive for an avian influenza virus.

Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer for PEI, said, "From the information we have received, there is a low risk of human illness at the present time. There is no evidence to suggest that the avian influenza virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of food, notably poultry and eggs. However, people need to continue washing their hands carefully after handling poultry."

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Dr. Sweet added, "We are working closely with the CFIA and the Department of Agriculture and the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor the situation closely. We will also monitor evidence of flu-like symptoms or eye infections in those who have come in contact with domestic or wild birds in the West Prince area. If anyone in this area has been in contact with poultry in the last seven days and is experiencing flu-like symptoms, they should see their physician."

The virus was determined to be an H5 subtype in testing conducted by the Atlantic Veterinary College laboratory in Charlottetown. The sample has been sent to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) in Winnipeg for further testing to confirm its strain and pathogenicity. The NCFAD is Canada's national reference laboratory for avian influenza. Testing is being conducted on a priority basis, results will be communicated as soon as they are available.

This information obtained from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and sent to subscribers of www.emergencyemail.org. To subscribe to emergency alerts sent to your e-mail and phone, go to www.emergencyemail.org. Alerts include airport closings, weather alerts for your area, homeland security, cybersecurity, public health and other important notifications.