Turkeys taken to a processing plant in Perth County, Ontario, tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH) agency reported.
The agency issued a statement on the situation on December 16, stating that the poultry was delivered by an independent third party to the plant.
“The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), along with Huron Perth Public Health (HPPH), the Ministry of Health and Public Health Ontario are working together with the plant operator to respond to the situation. As soon as this was identified, the plant operator took immediate action. The suspected poultry containing HPAI in question is all on hold and not in the public domain. The animal health response is being led by the CFIA, while HPPH is leading human health response by providing guidance to workers, employers and local health care providers,” HPPH said in a statement.
The London Free Press identified the plant as one operated by Sofina Foods.
Sofina Foods issued the following statement to the Free Press: “On Dec. 13, a flock of turkeys was delivered to our processing facility in Mitchell. A small number of the turkeys tested positive for avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. This was an isolated incident based on one delivery of birds from an independent, third-party farm. Sofina took immediate action and has been working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Huron Perth public health to ensure the safety of our people, the public and our products.”
WATT Global Media’s requests for updates from CFIA and Sofina Foods have yet to receive responses.
Sofina Foods, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Poultry Companies Database, operates in the chicken and turkey industries. Its poultry-related brands include Cuddy Food Products, Lilydale and Janes Family Foods.
British Columbia avian flu cases continue
Two cases of HPAI were confirmed in Langley Township, British Columbia, on December 20, CFIA reported, bringing the township’s total number of cases in 2022 to nine and British Columbia’s case count to 67.
Information concerning the flock sizes and the type of birds affected in these cases has not been disclosed.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
Read our ongoing coverage of the global avian influenza outbreak.
