Ontario Minister’s Order limiting comingling of birds extended

The following notice was sent this week from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs.

Office of the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario (OCVO)

October 17, 2022

Greetings:

Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in domestic poultry continue to be confirmed across Ontario by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

While the CFIA leads the disease response for highly pathogenic avian influenza and may impose permitting requirements in defined areas of the province, I am writing to inform you and your members of the action that the province is taking to help limit the spread of the virus.

On my advice and recommendation as Deputy Chief Veterinarian for Ontario, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is extending the Minister’s Order under the Animal Health Act, 2009, for the purpose of limiting the commingling of birds from different locations in Ontario to reduce the likelihood of disease transmission in domestic birds by limiting direct contact. Commingling events pose a real and significant risk to domestic poultry, especially during the current migration period. This Order applies province wide.

Effective since September 23, 2022, this Order will now continue through to November 21, 2022. The Order temporarily prohibits events where birds commingle, such as bird shows, bird sales and swaps, portions of fairs where birds are exhibited, sport and educational displays where birds are brought from multiple locations, vaccination gatherings for birds from multiple locations, and prohibits the movement of birds to those events. Temporarily reducing direct contact between birds from different locations will limit the spread of avian influenza and protect flock health. This Order may be further extended if required.

I also strongly encourage your members to maintain strict biosecurity measures to help reduce the risk of introducing avian influenza to their birds.

Avian influenza is not a threat to food safety but impacts domesticated and wild birds. Ontario poultry and eggs are safe to eat when, as always, proper handling and cooking takes place. People working with poultry should take additional precautions and are strongly encouraged to follow all public health guidelines and maintain strict biosecurity.

For more information on the Minister’s Order, please visit OMAFRA’s Avian Influenza webpage.

I continue to monitor this quickly developing situation and may implement further measures as part of the response to this disease.

I appreciate your cooperation in working together to enhance biosecurity and reduce the spread of avian influenza.

Sincerely,

Original signed by

Paul Innes, DVM
Deputy Chief Veterinarian for Ontario