WattAgNet: OIE: British Columbia avian influenza situation resolved

Three months have passed since all affected properties have been disinfected, and all subsequent tests for the virus have been negative
Release Date: 2015-06-08
The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) reported on June 8 that it considers the avian influenza situation in the Canadian province of British Columbia to be resolved.

Avian influenza has been on the minds of poultry producers in British Columbia since November 2014, when the virus was first detected in a commercial turkey flock in Chilliwack, British Columbia, affecting 12,800 birds. OIE received six more reports of H5N2 avian influenza between that time and December 19, 2014, impacting 187,085 birds. All but one of those confirmed cases of avian influenza occurred in commercial poultry flocks.

Since the last confirmed case of H5N2 avian influenza in British Columbia on December 19, 2014, occurred, the affected properties have been cleaned and disinfected, OIE noted. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has conducted enhanced surveillance in commercial poultry during a three-month period since the disinfection of those properties was completed, and all subsequent tests conducted for the presence of avian influenza have been negative. In accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, British Columbia as gained its free status in regard with avian influenza, however the ongoing Canadian Notifiable Avian Influenza Surveillance System remains in place in all Canadian provinces.

Since OIE considers the situation concerning H5N2 avian influenza in British Columbia to be resolved, OIE will submit no further reports on the matter.

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