Another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1, was confirmed at a mixed farm in western Nova Scotia, which includes poultry and products for local sale.
According to a press release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the case was confirmed on February 9. The size of the flock was not disclosed, nor were the species involved.
This latest case follows confirmed detections of the same strain of HPAI in Newfoundland and Labrador and more recently in wild birds, a backyard flock and a commercial turkey farm in Nova Scotia, where 11,800 turkeys were affected.
To control any potential spread of the disease, the CFIA has imposed movement restrictions and is recommending enhanced biosecurity for other farms within the area.
At this time, some countries have applied temporary import restrictions with variable implications on products and regions in Canada, primarily limited to the export of some poultry products from Nova Scotia.
Affected producers and industry associations, as well as federal and provincial departments, are cooperating in the ongoing investigation with a common goal to protect human health, protect the health of Canadian poultry and, in the process, maintain market access for Canadian poultry products.
Avian influenza in the United States
CFIA announced the latest case of HPAI on the same day the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced the virus had been detected in a commercial broiler flock in Fulton County, Kentucky, and a backyard flock in Fauquier County, Virginia.
An earlier case of HPAI was confirmed in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Indiana. In that flock, 29,000 turkeys were affected.
Also, HPAI has been confirmed in wild birds in New Hampshire, Delaware, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida.
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
