Health
Bird flu spreads across Canadian poultry farms – CTV News
TORONTO —
A highly contagious strain of bird flu is spreading in farms across North America and killing millions of poultry, but experts say the risk of human transmission remains low.
Since late last year, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has identified outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in at least 20 commercial and backyard poultry flocks in Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
Several farms have been placed under quarantine. In southwestern Ontario, the CFIA established two avian control zones to curb the spread of the bird flu.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says poultry outbreaks have been reported in 24 states, killing nearly 23 million chickens and turkeys.
However, the origins of this recent wave of outbreaks remains unclear.
“That’s the multi-million-dollar question,” said Dr. Shayan Sharif, professor and associate dean at the Ontario Veterinary College, in a phone interview with CTVNews.ca on Thursday. “What we do know is that it started in eastern Canada.”
Avian influenza occurs naturally in many wild birds, which can then spread to poultry farms through bird droppings and nasal discharge. Experts say contaminated equipment, clothing, boots and vehicles carrying supplies can also spread the flu within poultry farms.
The first cases of bird flu were confirmed at a farm in Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula last December, after the sudden death of birds over a period of several days. A second outbreak was confirmed in in the Avalon Peninsula in January.
By February, the flu had spread to farms in Nova Scotia and the U.S. And between March 27 and April 6, the bird flu had been reported in 10 flocks in Ontario.
This time of year also happens to be one of the busiest seasons for migratory birds. Sharif believes the flu has the potential to spread to more provinces. While no outbreaks have been reported on farms in Quebec, three cases of avian flu have been detected in Canadian geese in the province.
“Migratory birds, they have very clear fly routes. But sometimes, they may also go stray and go in various other locations. So, as a result of that, I wouldn’t be surprised to see if other provinces are also being affected, but hopefully not,” he said.
While there haven’t been any outbreaks in zoos yet, organizations like the Toronto Zoo have been closing aviaries to the public and adding extra security to bird enclosures to keep wild birds out.
OUTBREAKS POSE LOW RISK TO HUMANS: EXPERTS
Fears over Canada’s bird flu outbreak has prompted some countries to enact trade restrictions on Canadian poultry products.
South Korea and the Philippines have imposed restrictions on poultry products from all of Canada, while the U.S. and Europe are restricting products from specific regions that have seen outbreaks.
But Sharif says it’s “highly unlikely” that any humans will contract the virus from food.
“Even if it could be in human food, the reality is that this virus is quite susceptible to heating. So, cooking your chicken or cooking your egg will completely obliterate the virus.
Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has also said that the bird flu “is not a threat to food safety” and that poultry and eggs from the province “are safe to eat when proper handling and cooking takes place.”
So far, there have been no cases of the bird flu infecting humans either in Canada or the U.S. But Sharif says he’s still concerned about the potential for the avian influenza virus to infect humans, given that this virus has a high capacity to mutate.
“I would be watching this very carefully because this virus, like all influenza viruses, has a very wide range of host species,” he said. “If it does mutate, and if it does gain the capability of transmission to humans… then you could be dealing with another pandemic virus.”
With files from The Associated Press and The Canadian Press.
Health
CFIA continues surveillance for HPAI in cattle, while sticking with original name for disease – RealAgriculture
The Canada Food Inspection Agency will continue to refer to highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle as HPAI in cattle, and not refer to it as bovine influenza A virus (BIAV), as suggested by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners earlier this month.
Dr. Martin Appelt, senior director for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, in the interview below, says at this time Canada will stick with “HPAI in cattle” when referencing the disease that’s been confirmed in dairy cattle in multiple states in the U.S.
The CFIA’s naming policy is consistent with the agency’s U.S. counterparts’, as the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has also said it will continue referring to it as HPAI or H5N1.
Appelt explains how the CFIA is learning from the U.S. experience to-date, and how it is working with veterinarians across Canada to stay vigilant for signs of the disease in dairy and beef cattle.
As of April 19, there has not been a confirmed case of HPAI in cattle in Canada. Appelt says it’s too soon to say if an eventual positive case will significantly restrict animal movement, as is the case with positive poultry cases.
This is a major concern for the cattle industry, as beef cattle especially move north and south across the U.S. border by the thousands. Appelt says that CFIA will address an infection in each species differently in conjunction with how the disease is spread and the threat to neighbouring farms or livestock.
Currently, provincial dairy organizations have advised producers to postpone any non-essential tours of dairy barns, as a precaution, in addition to other biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of cattle contracting HPAI.
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Health
Toronto reports 2 more measles cases. Use our tool to check the spread in Canada – Toronto Star
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Canada has seen a concerning rise in measles cases in the first months of 2024.
By the third week of March, the country had already recorded more than three times the number of cases as all of last year. Canada had just 12 cases of measles in 2023, up from three in 2022.
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Cancer Awareness Month
Posted on: Apr 18, 2024
April is Cancer Awareness Month
As we recognize Cancer Awareness Month, we stand together to raise awareness, support those affected, advocate for prevention, early detection, and continued research towards a cure. Cancer is the leading cause of death for Métis women and the second leading cause of death for Métis men. The Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation Within Alberta is working hard to ensure that available supports for Métis Citizens battling cancer are culturally appropriate, comprehensive, and accessible by Métis Albertans at all stages of their cancer journey.
Receiving a cancer diagnosis, whether for yourself or a loved one, can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of where to turn for support. In June, our government will be launching the Cancer Supports and Navigation Program which will further support Métis Albertans and their families experiencing cancer by connecting them to OMG-specific cancer resources, external resources, and providing navigation support through the health care system. This program will also include Métis-specific peer support groups for those affected by cancer.
With funding from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) we have also developed the Métis Cancer Care Course to ensure that Métis Albertans have access to culturally safe and appropriate cancer services. This course is available to cancer care professionals across the country and provides an overview of who Métis people are, our culture, our approaches to health and wellbeing, our experiences with cancer care, and our cancer journey.
Together, we can make a difference in the fight against cancer and ensure equitable access to culturally safe and appropriate care for all Métis Albertans. Please click on the links below to learn more about the supports available for Métis Albertans, including our Compassionate Care: Cancer Transportation program.
I wish you all good health and happiness!
Bobbi Paul-Alook
Secretary of Health & Seniors
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