Winnipeg,
May 18, 2006 – Plans for Canada's Inter-agency
Wild Bird Influenza Survey 2006 were announced
today by representatives of Environment Canada,
the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public
Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Cooperative
Wildlife Health Centre. The survey will provide
an early warning for the possible entry of highly
pathogenic avian influenza (AI) into Canada.
As was the case in 2005, the
survey partners expect to find a variety of AI
viruses, most of which commonly circulate in wild
birds with little or no impact on their health
or the health of other animals. The 2006 survey,
which will be carried out through the spring,
summer and fall, will enable animal and public
health authorities to better understand the presence
and characteristics of typical strains of AI in
North America's wild bird population.
Survey partners are particularly
interested in AI viruses that are or have the
potential to become highly pathogenic. These viruses,
which include the H5 and H7 subtypes, can cause
illness and death in poultry. The highly pathogenic
H5N1 AI virus strain currently circulating in
Asia, Africa and Europe has demonstrated the ability
to affect poultry and wild birds, as well as humans
and other mammalian species.
Canada is monitoring global
AI developments very closely, particularly the
spread of the Asian H5N1 strain. Recognizing that
better understanding of viruses and their exchange,
as well as early detection, represent Canada's
first line of defence in protecting animal and
human health, the 2006 survey was identified as
a priority in the 2006 Federal Budget and will
incorporate a number of enhancements.
Similar to the 2005 survey,
this year's survey will sample migratory birds
along main migratory routes in Canada; however,
it will place a greater focus in the north Atlantic
region, which hosts birds that might come into
contact with birds from Europe where the Asian
H5N1 strain has been found in several countries.
This component will include sampling in Iceland,
which hosts migratory birds from both North America
and Europe. Canada is coordinating its survey
approach with the United States, which has announced
plans to conduct extensive surveillance along
the Pacific Flyway, which intersects with Asian
migratory routes.
The 2006 Canadian survey will
include expanded testing of dead birds. This portion
of the survey will begin in Southern Canada in
mid-summer; dead birds found prior to this would
not have been exposed to potential sources of
foreign avian influenza. As the collection period
for dead birds nears, the Government of Canada
will provide the public with information on how
to proceed should a dead bird be found.
Survey results will be reported
to Canadians as they are confirmed and will be
available at the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife
Health Centre Web site at http://wildlife1.usask.ca/.
Canada's Inter-agency Wild Bird
Influenza Survey 2006 is a joint effort involving
the Government of Canada, provincial and territorial
governments, the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife
Health Centre, non-governmental organizations,
academia and the Government of Iceland.
Canada has developed strategies
to respond to all anticipated AI findings in wild
bird populations. In the case of a finding of
a highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 in wild birds,
a comprehensive response strategy would be implemented,
including the establishment of quarantine zones
with movement restrictions on commercial poultry
and poultry products within 3km of the finding
and enhanced surveillance in commercial poultry
in a 10km zone.
Surveillance in wild birds
and domestic poultry is one of a series of AI
prevention and preparedness initiatives the Government
of Canada is implementing in partnership with
provincial/territorial governments, industry and
animal and public health practitioners.
