Avian flu cases resurfacing in Canada

Sep 20, 2022

Communities have seen positive cases after quiet months

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Multiple communities across the country are experiencing cases of avian influenza after a quiet summer.

On Sept. 17 in Ontario, for example, a case of avian flu was detected in a commercial flock in the Township of Zorra, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports.

It’s unclear which strain of avian flu is present.

This is Ontario’s first case of avian flu since May, when the disease was detected in multiple commercial operations in York Region. Cases in Halton Region and Wellington County were also found that month.

Manitoba has seen new cases of avian flu pop up since the summer.

On Sept. 14 and 16, CFIA identified cases of the disease in the Rural Municipality of Cartier. And on Sept. 19, the CFIA detected avian flu in the Rural Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton.

It’s unknown which strain of the disease is affecting those flocks.

These are Manitoba’s first cases since June 16 when a small flock in the Rural Municipality of Louise contracted the disease.

Poultry operations in Saskatchewan have also experienced new cases of avian flu.

The CFIA detected the illness on Sept. 9 and Sept. 12 in commercial operations in the rural municipalities of Cut Knife and Laird, respectively.

CFIA also found avian flu in a small non-poultry flock in the Rural Municipality of Shellbrook on Sept. 16.

Like the cases in Manitoba and Ontario, it’s unclear what strain of avian flu is affecting these locations.

The September cases in Saskatchewan are the province’s first since May 25 when avian flu was found in the Rural Municipality of Indian Head.

British Columbia has two new cases of avian flu since the summer.

The CFIA found cases of the disease in a commercial poultry flock in the City of Chilliwack on Sept. 12 and in a small non-poultry flock on Sept. 15 in the Regional District of Cariboo.

B.C. previously had confirmed cases of avian flu on June 18 in Langley Township.

Alberta is the only province to have sustained avian flu pressure.

The CFIA has detected cases in the province on six September dates (Sept. 4, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 18) in seven different communities.

Alberta has had at least two cases of avian flu per month going back to April. The province had one case in July.

Millions of birds are affected by avian flu in Canada.

As of the CFIA’s Sept. 19 report, Canada has 63 infected premises and 66 previously infected premises, impacting 2,363,000 birds.

Video: Inside the National Swine Health Strategy - Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, explains the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy and why it is essential for improving U.S. swine health. He discussed industry collaboration, the strategy's initial priorities, why PEDV is the first focus for elimination, research initiatives, and the long-term vision for healthier herds. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The National Swine Health Strategy creates a coordinated approach that moves the entire industry toward common health goals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven / dusty-oedekoven-bb0bb7110 is Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, where he leads initiatives to strengthen U.S. swine health through disease prevention, producer collaboration, and the National Swine Health Strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in veterinary public health and regulatory animal health, his work focuses on protecting the U.S. herd from endemic and foreign animal diseases. Listen to Dr. Dustin Oedekoven on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.