CFIA quarantines 29 farms to prevent spread of bird flu

With the discovery of avian flu on a turkey farm near Woodstock last week, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has expanded the bird flu quarantine zone to incude 29 farms.

The virus detected on the Woodstock farm was found to be almost identical to the H5N2 strain that triggered avian influenza outbreaks in British Columbia and nine US states in the period since last year.

The preventative move is aimed at containing the spread of the disease by controlling movement of animals, products and equipment in the area.

CFIA said the establishment of individual quarantines and the Avian Influenza Control Zone is part of an internationally accepted practice to allow trade to continue from non-infected areas of a country. The agency added that it will also help to contribute to the alleviation of market access restrictions.

The new restriction zone covers a 10km radius from the premises confirmed to be infected with avian influenza in Oxford County, Ontario.

The farms under quarantine will require a license to move products outside their farm.

AM980 quoted CFIA senior staff veterinarian Dr Abed Harchaoui as saying: "This decision was not made based on any increased risk, nor is there a food safety concern. This move is precautionary and to date only one farm has shown signs of infection.

"This move is an effective balance between strong disease control methods and the ability to resume trade. The agency is monitoring these additional premises closely for any sign of disease."

The discovery of the flu has led to markets like Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Uruguay and Barbados imposing trade restrictions on products from the affected areas.

The influenza does not pose a risk to consumers when poultry and poultry products are handled and cooked properly. It rarely affects humans who do not have consistent contact with infected birds.

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Image: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) expanded bird flu quarantine zone to include 29 farms. Photo: courtesy of papaija2008/freedigitalphotos.net.