Alberta, including SW hit hardest by bird flu

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is releasing weekly updates on the avian influenza outbreak, and

while the virus is a Canada-wide problem, Alberta has been hit particularly hard by it.

Every week, the agency maps out control zones of areas that have been impacted by outbreaks. The maps are posted in colour coding on their website.

The maps delineate a Protected Control Zone (PCZ) and Infected Zone (IZ). The PCZs are an area directly surrounding an IZ and are considered high-risk areas where the movement of birds is to be limited. The two go hand in hand. As of May 9, Lethbridge County had one infected zone with a protected control zone extending its coverage area over Picture Butte and

Iron Springs.

As of May 12, Alberta had 24 infected premises, the second-highest of any province. An estimated 937,000 birds had been impacted. By comparison, Ontario ranked first with 25 infected premises (IPs), although with a lower total bird count of 470,000. Saskatchewan and Quebec trailed with significantly lower numbers.

The CFIA statistical chart showed that thus far, over 1.8 million birds had been affected throughout the country. Avian influenza (AI) is a naturally occurring disease in many wild birds, and it can be transmitted through bird droppings and nasal discharge. Poultry farms are a major area of concern, and though most poultry operations are housed in indoor facilities, human movement from outdoor to indoor spaces can carry the virus with them.

Outdoor areas have little or no protection. Chickens are mostly raised indoors to protect them from extreme weather, predators, and disease.

“There are many different strains of the AI virus, and most of these have little or no effect on bird health.

However, two types — known as H5 and H7— can cause severe illness and death in affected flocks,” according to the CFIA.

Producers, veterinarians, and laboratories are legally required to notify the CFIA of all suspected or confirmed cases. The CFIA provides a list of the symptoms of AI, which include high mortality, sudden death, decreased food consumption, huddling, depression, closed eyes, coughing, sneezing, decreased egg production, diarrhea, and excessive thirst.

Humans are not affected by AI, except in a limited number of cases when individuals come into close contact with infected birds. The CFIA asserts that there is “no evidence to suggest” that eating fully cooked chicken or eggs poses any danger to human health. While this is good news for consumers, producers face the frightening possibility of losing birds and eggs and are advised to remain vigilant in protecting their flock. Biosecurity is the word that describes the measures that are needed to protect against the introduction and spread of diseases.

Farmers are forced to think and act proactively in terms of a biosecurity plan that will keep their flocks safe from sickness. The CFIA has the authority to place a farm or flock area under quarantine and provide the farmer with documentation specifying the rules of the quarantine.

The CFIA states, “It is in the best interest of poultry keepers to ensure that they are aware of the risks,” and “implement procedures to limit the chances of disease developing or spreading. Pathogenic organisms can change over time to become more or less capable of causing disease. Circulating unchecked within a flock or between flocks of different generations, organisms have greater opportunity to undergo genetic alterations, and thus potentially cause more significant disease in poultry or other animal species, including humans.”

According to the CFIA, “initiates disease response actions when birds are suspected to be infected with high pathogenicity AI and low pathogenicity AI.”

Science Direct defines pathogenicity as “the capacity of a microbe to cause damage in a host.”

The Agency also warns that trace amounts of contaminated material may be hidden on clothing, footwear, hands, equipment, or vehicles, thereby “allowing the disease to be carried from one (area) to another.”

When necessary, the CFIA can order the destruction and disposal of a flock.

They affirm that “all birds are humanely destroyed using internationally recognized methods.” The dead animals are usually buried or incinerated.

A culling event is a major loss for a farmer, with the only possibility of consolation being this: “Under the Health of Animals Act, the CFIA may compensate owners for animals and things ordered destroyed during disease response situations. Compensation awards are based on market value, up to the maximum amounts established by the regulations.”