NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Canada Regains Disease-free Status
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has lifted all remaining movement
restrictions on birds and bird products in southern B.C. No additional cases of avian influenza
were found during extensive testing of commercial poultry in the area.
June 25, 2009 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has lifted all remaining movement
restrictions on birds and bird products in southern British Columbia. No additional cases of avian influenza
were found during extensive testing of commercial poultry in the area.
The movement restrictions were put in place following the discovery of low pathogenicity H5N2 avian
influenza in a commercial poultry operation on January 24, 2009. During the ensuing investigation, the
CFIA declared a second operation infected on
February 11. All birds on the two farms were humanely destroyed and composted on-site in accordance with
international standards and provincial environmental requirements.
Infected farms must remain under CFIA
surveillance for 21 days following the cleaning and disinfection of barns, vehicles and equipment. Both farms
have passed this 21-day period and are free to introduce new birds onto the property and resume regular
operation.
"The coordinated efforts of all levels of government provided an unprecedented response to this
outbreak,” noted Ron Cantelon, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and
Lands. "By working together, we were able to minimize the impact to industry and get those affected back
into business as quickly as possible.”
As a final step in the outbreak response, the CFIA will conduct broader testing of poultry operations in
B.C. Consistent with the guidelines of the World Organization for
Animal Health, this surveillance will allow Canada to regain its status as an avian influenza-free
country.
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