A third case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been confirmed in Ontario. Like the previous two outbreaks in the Canadian province, this case has occurred in Oxford County.
In the latest outbreak, a commercial turkey operation of about 8,000 birds has been infected, with tests conducted at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease laboratory proving positive for H5N2 avian influenza.
CFIA stated that the premises have been under quarantine and the farm has been depopulated.
Ontario’s first case of avian influenza, confirmed on April 7, was in a commercial flock of 44,800 turkeys. The second case in the Canadian province was in a broiler breeder farm and was confirmed on April 18. An estimated 27,000 birds were affected in the second outbreak.
CFIA has established two quarantine zones in response to the Oxford County avian influenza cases.
To date, Ontario and British Columbia are the only two provinces with confirmed cases since the virus first appeared in the country in late 2014. Avian influenza has also been discovered in 18 U.S. states, with Minnesota having the largest number of outbreaks.
To keep informed of the areas affected by avian influenza, see WATTAgNet’s avian influenza map to track cases confirmed across the U.S. and Canada.
