Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

[HenryN]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

AVIAN INFLUENZA, H7N3, POULTRY - CANADA (SASKATCHEWAN) (02)
************************************************** **
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.isid.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

[1]
Date: 27 Sep 2007
Source: Canadian Food Inspection Agency [edited]
<http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2007/20070927e.shtml>


Avian influenza detected in Saskatchewan
---------------------------------------------
Highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza has been detected in a
commercial poultry operation in Saskatchewan, the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced today [27 Sep 2007]. This virus is
not the same as the strain circulating in Asia, Africa and Europe,
which has been associated with human illness. H7N3 is not normally
associated with serious human illness.

Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry
and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. In this case,
the affected birds were not destined for immediate slaughter and were
not producing eggs for human consumption.

All birds on the infected premises will be humanely euthanized and
disposed of in accordance with provincial regulations and
internationally accepted disease control guidelines. Normally, birds
on any commercial operations within one kilometre [0.62 miles] of an
infected premises would also be destroyed, but early information
indicates that no such operations are present in the immediate area.

Once all birds have been removed, the CFIA will oversee the cleaning
and disinfection of the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools to
eliminate any infectious material that may remain.

To limit any potential virus spread, the CFIA will apply restrictions
on the movement of poultry and poultry products within three
kilometres [1.86 miles] of the infected premises. As an additional
safeguard, any poultry operations within ten kilometres [6.2 miles]
of the infected premises will be closely and regularly monitored for
signs of illness.

The CFIA is investigating the recent movement of birds, bird products
and equipment onto and off of the property. Through this activity,
additional cases of infection may be detected.

The CFIA's actions are consistent with internationally recognized
animal health guidelines and the CFIA's established avian influenza
response protocols.

It may be difficult to identify the source of the virus, but the
possibility of exposure to wild waterfowl -- which are the natural
hosts for the virus -- cannot be discounted. Poultry owners are urged
to take an active role in protecting their flocks by keeping them
away from wild birds and areas frequented by wild birds.

Under the Health of Animals Act, the CFIA has authority to compensate
producers for animals ordered destroyed during disease responses. The
producer might also be eligible for assistance under other Government
of Canada or provincial programs.

The Province of Saskatchewan and industry are actively collaborating
in this response effort. The CFIA wishes to acknowledge the
responsible actions of the owner, who reported signs of illness at
the earliest possible moment. This commitment to animal health
protection has maximized the Agency's ability to contain and
eliminate this situation as quickly as possible.

New information emerging from the CFIA's activities will be
provided to the public as it becomes available.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[2]
Date: 29 Sep 2007
From: Dr. Emily Jenkins and Dr. Catherine Soos
<emily.jenkins@ec.gc.ca> and
<catherine.soos@ec.gc.ca>


[The following post is in reference to ProMED-mail
post 20070928.3210 - Mod.TG]

The current outbreak in Saskatchewan poultry has been linked to a
highly pathogenic strain of H7N3 avian influenza
(<http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2007/20070927e.shtml>).

Management of this outbreak is well underway by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency.

The H7N3 strain of avian influenza is a potential zoonosis with low
risk of transmission, causing mild conjunctivitis in 2 heavily
exposed people in the 2004 outbreak of highly pathogenic H7N3 in the
Fraser Valley, British Columbia, Canada. The concern, of course, is
that people co-infected with avian and human influenza viruses could
serve as mixing vessels for viral recombination and subsequent
development of human adapted, virulent strains of influenza.

Wild birds are frequently implicated in outbreaks of avian influenza
in poultry, often with little or no supporting evidence (Please
reference ProMED-mail post 20051124.3409).

Highly pathogenic strains are not commonly carried in migratory
waterfowl; indeed the recent highly pathogenic H5N1 outbreak in
Eurasia is an anomaly in that wild birds may be acting as carriers
and victims of a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza. Wild
birds are the natural hosts of low pathogenicity strains, which can
mutate into high pathogenicity strains in intensively managed
poultry. As such, enhanced biosecurity to prevent bidirectional
spillover between wild and domestic birds is well warranted, but
speculation about the source of the virus in this outbreak is
premature pending epidemiological and molecular characterization.

Investigation into the source of the virus will be facilitated by
recent surveillance for avian influenza in 1000 wild ducks in
southern Saskatchewan in August 2007, which occurred as a part of
Canada's Interagency Wild Bird Influenza Survey, in collaboration
with the United States Department of Agriculture to enhance
surveillance in the Central Flyway. Results from 2007 are pending.

In 2006, no H5 or H7 strains were detected in samples from 56 ducks
(primarily northern pintails) in southern Saskatchewan, although
there were 6 positives for non H5/H7, low pathogenicity influenza A
viruses (based on PCR). Canada-wide, no H7 subtypes or highly
pathogenic strains were detected in 4268 samples from wild ducks in
2005, nor in over 12,000 samples from wild birds in Canada in 2006:
(<http://wildlife1.usask.ca/en/aiv/index.php>).

At the moment, there appears to be no scientific justification for
increased concern over the avian influenza status of hunter-killed
wild birds in Saskatchewan, including export to the USA. Resident and
non-resident hunting of wild waterfowl is a major activity in
Saskatchewan at this time of year. As usual, hunters should observe
common sense food safety and handling precautions:
(http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/fs-hwb-fr-mos_e.html).

--
Dr. Emily Jenkins and Dr. Catherine Soos
Wildlife Disease Specialists/Research Scientists
Environment Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0X4
Canada
<emily.jenkins@ec.gc.ca> and
<catherine.soos@ec.gc.ca>

[These comments from Drs. Jenkins and Soos illustrate the concern and
heightened sensitivity around all types of avian influenza. - Mod.TG]

[see also:
Avian influenza, H7N3, poultry - Canada (SK) 20070928.3210
2006
----
Avian Influenza (141) Canada (PE): not highly pathogenic 20060620.1706
Avian influenza (138) - Canada (PE) 20060616.1677
2005
----
Avian influenza - Canada (06) 20051211.3572
Avian influenza - Canada (05): comment 20051124.3409
Avian influenza - Canada (04): BC, MB 20051121.3379
Avian influenza, H5, poultry - Canada (BC) 20051120.3370
Avian influenza - Canada (02): survey wild ducks 20051102.3204
Avian influenza - Canada: survey wild ducks 20051031.3182
Avian influenza, imported pigeons - Australia (NSW) ex Canada 20051020.3062
Avian influenza, turkeys, H3 - Canada (BC) 20050601.1524
2004
----
Avian influenza - Canada (ON): susp 20040721.1992
Avian influenza, poultry - Canada (BC): H5 not 20040514.1311
Avian influenza, poultry - Canada (BC): H5 susp. 20040512.1281
Avian influenza - Canada (23): OIE 20040507.1248
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (22) 20040505.1233
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (21) 20040425.1144
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (20) 20040422.1116
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (19) 20040416.1052
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (18) 20040415.1029
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (17) 20040414.1014
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (16) 20040412.0994
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (15): OIE 20040410.0974
Avian influenza A (H7), human - Canada (BC) (04) 20040407.0948
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (14) 20040407.0946
Avian influenza A (H7) virus, human - Canada (BC) (03) 20040406.0935
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (13) 20040404.0925
Avian influenza A (H7N3) virus, human - Canada (BC) (02) 20040402.0908
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (12) 20040401.0893
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (11) 20040330.0870
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (10) 20040327.0843
Avian influenza A (H7N3) virus, human - Canada (BC) 20040327.0842
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (09) 20040324.0821
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (08) 20040323.0814
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (07): correction 20040315.0721
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (06) 20040313.0704
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (05): OIE 20040310.0675
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (04): RFI 20040310.0672
Avian influenza, H7, poultry - Canada (BC) (03): OIE 20040222.0562
Avian influenza, H7 serotype, poultry - Canada (BC) (02) 20040221.0557
Avian influenza, H7 serotype, poultry - Canada (BC) 20040220.0548]
....................tg/ejp/dk

[HenryN]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

AVIAN INFLUENZA, H7N3, POULTRY - CANADA (SASKATCHEWAN) (02)
************************************************** **
--
Dr. Emily Jenkins and Dr. Catherine Soos
Wildlife Disease Specialists/Research Scientists
Environment Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7N 0X4
Canada
<emily.jenkins@ec.gc.ca> and
<catherine.soos@ec.gc.ca>

[These comments from Drs. Jenkins and Soos illustrate the concern and
heightened sensitivity around all types of avian influenza. - Mod.TG]

Promed propaganda campaign remains in high gear.

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/09270701/H7N3_SK.html

Commentary

H7N3 in Saskatchewan Canada
Recombinomics Commentary
September 27, 2007

Highly pathogenic H7N3 avian influenza has been detected in a commercial poultry operation in Saskatchewan, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced today.

H7N3 is not normally associated with serious human illness.

The above comments from the press release from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirm HPAI H7N3 in Canada. The comment on human illness has two qualifiers, which have been dropped from media reports. H7N3 is easily transmitted from birds to humans as well as human-to-human. However, most infections are mild and assays for H7 genetic information in healthy host (birds or people) is abysmal, Antibody testing of convalescent sera is more sensitivity and reliable. The serological tests provide conclusive evidence for efficient transmission.

The last major outbreak of H7 in birds in Canada was the 2004 outbreak in British Columbia. The H7N3 initially tested as low path, but HPAI was detected within days, and the outbreak led to culling of millions of birds. Two workers were confirmed H7N3 infected, but many more had symptoms, which include conjunctivitis.

The most recent H7 infection was in England in late May. The low path H7N2 was linked to multiple confirmed cases, and many more suspect cases. Although an update on human testing of suspect cases was promeised at the Options VI presentation in Toronto, the update has not been made public.

H7 infections are cause concern because the virus is efficiently transmitted to mammals. The only reported bird flu fatality that was not H5N1 was a death linked to the 2003 H7N7 outbreak in the Netherlands. Serological testing of cullers and contacts indicated well over 1000 people had H7 antibodies.

Although the current outbreak is almost certainly linked to wild birds, the influenza surveillance program in Canada failed to detect high or low path H7 in wild birds this year or last year.

Sequence information on the poultry outbreak would be useful.


.

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

Although the Canadian press release accurately states that H7N3 does not pose a serious human health threat as compared to H5N1, it probably does pose a greater pandemic threat.

The H7 avian influenza virus has far more human characteristics associated with its genome than does H5, and is much more easily transmitted from poultry to humans. Just because it doesn't have a case fatality history does not mean that folks will not get sick and have to miss work. If H7 goes pandemic, we could possibly experience very high clinical infection rates that could be disruptive to our economies, even though relatively few lives are lost.

Just something to ponder as officials downplay this latest detection.

Have any of the H7s ever had more than 4 amino acids at the cleavage site, or is Asian H5N1 the only one? Would an H7 with only 4 amino acids be likely to infect few organs than the H5N1 with 8?

Are there any AIs circulating in the Americas that have been found with the NS1/pos 92 mutation?

My point is that should H7N3 go pandemic, can we assume it would be less virulant than a pandemic H5N1?

.

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

from Protective measures and human antibody response during an avian influenza H7N3 outbreak in poultry in British Columbia, Canada

.....Given that the only human infections in British<SUP> </SUP>Columbia followed direct contact with unprotected conjunctiva,<SUP> </SUP>these concerns should be addressed. Other investigators have<SUP> </SUP>also underscored the importance of eye protection and the particular<SUP> </SUP>ocular tropism of H7 subtypes.<SUP>12?14</SUP><SUP>,</SUP><SUP>39</SUP><SUP>,</SUP><SUP>40</SUP> Human influenza<SUP> </SUP>viruses are thought to bond preferentially to 2,6 cellular receptors,<SUP> </SUP>which predominate in the upper respiratory tract.<SUP>39</SUP><SUP>,</SUP><SUP>40</SUP> Conversely,<SUP> </SUP>avian influenza viruses preferentially bond to 2,3 receptors,<SUP> </SUP>which are expressed with preponderance in the human eye and<SUP> </SUP>deep in the lung.<SUP>39</SUP><SUP>,</SUP><SUP>40</SUP> Avian influenza viruses that successfully<SUP> </SUP>replicate in the conjunctiva may gain access to the respiratory<SUP> </SUP>tract through the nasolacrimal duct. Given enough opportunities,<SUP> </SUP>adaptation to 2,6 receptors in the upper airway may occur, setting<SUP> </SUP>the stage for efficient human-to-human transmission.<SUP>40......</SUP>
<SUP></SUP>
<SUP>.</SUP>

[HenryN]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

Have any of the H7s ever had more than 4 amino acids at the cleavage site, or is Asian H5N1 the only one? Would an H7 with only 4 amino acids be likely to infect few organs than the H5N1 with 8?

Are there any AIs circulating in the Americas that have been found with the NS1/pos 92 mutation?

My point is that should H7N3 go pandemic, can we assume it would be less virulant than a pandemic H5N1?

.

Both H5 and H7 isolates with poly-basic HA cleavage sites have been reported.

[Mamabird]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

Have any of the H7s ever had more than 4 amino acids at the cleavage site, or is Asian H5N1 the only one? Would an H7 with only 4 amino acids be likely to infect few organs than the H5N1 with 8?
.

D, the H5N2 outbreak in Gonzales, Texas in 2004 had more than the normal basic amino acids at the HA cleavage site, but that virus turned out to not be highly pathogenic when tested against eight week old chicks. That is, less than 75% of them died.

Also, the H7N2 outbreak in Pennsylvania back in 2002 started out as low path, but within months had acquired poly basic amino acids at the cleavage site and began devasting the domestic poultry flocks.

The H5 and H7 viruses have a history of becoming highly pathogenic when introduced into poultry. Diligence is necessary and continuous monitoring is essential. The problem for North America will likely arise from a small flock that has less than adequate biosecurity.

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

China bans Canadian poultry imports on bird flu fears


BEIJING - China says it has banned Canadian poultry because of an outbreak of bird flu in Saskatchewan.

The notice from the Agriculture Ministry says Canadian poultry imports were banned September 30 and any shipments arriving in China will be destroyed or returned.

The move follows similar bans by the United States and Japan.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said last month a strain of bird flu that is not harmful to humans had been confirmed at a large chicken farm in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan avian influenza is not the H-5-N-1 virus that has caused worldwide alarm but officials say the H-7-N-3 virus is a considerable threat to commercial poultry farms.

.

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

Poultry allowed on disinfected Sask. farm


A Saskatchewan poultry farm quarantined for H7N3 avian flu since last September has been given the all-clear to bring new birds to the property.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday that all cleaning and disinfection have been completed on the affected farm and all quarantine measures have been removed.

CFIA regulations allow quarantines to be lifted 21 days after all barns, vehicles, equipment and tools on an affected farm are cleaned and disinfected.

Assuming no further cases arise, Canada will be considered free of highly pathogenic avian flu, according to international guidelines, 90 days after cleaning and disinfection were complete. In this case, that date will be April 17, CFIA said in a statement on its web site.

Most other CFIA restrictions on the movement of other farms' birds and bird products within and through Saskatchewan related to this case were lifted by the end of October.

The cleanup of the farm, in the Regina Beach/Lumsden area northwest of Regina, was funded in part by Saskatchewan's poultry industry groups, who raised $100,000 as an ad-hoc measure to help with the "prohibitive" costs. The bills for cleanup and disinfection in such cases usually fall to the farmer.

Government programs compensate livestock producers for the market value of animals lost to "depopulation" -- in this case, about 50,000 birds -- as well as costs related to the culling and burial, but do not cover the cleanup needed to prevent further outbreaks.

"Shared responsibility"

"Ensuring that the infected premise is appropriately cleaned and disinfected is critical to ensuring confidence in both government and industry biosecurity systems, and should be a shared responsibility," said Joy Smith, general manager of Saskatchewan Egg Producers, in a statement in December, calling on governments to support cleanup operations.

The highly pathogenic H7N3 virus, which sickened and killed some birds on the Regina Beach farm last September and led to the complete cull, affects birds but not people, and is not to be confused with H5N1, another "high-path" strain. H5N1 is blamed for the deaths of at least 225 people overseas since late 2003, largely through direct contact with infected birds.

The most recent confirmed human fatality from H5N1 was a 29-year-old Indonesian woman, who died Saturday, according to a Reuters report on Monday.

Health officials worldwide are tracking H5N1, citing fears it may mutate into a form that people can catch from other people, and thus spur a pandemic.

http://www.canadiancattlemen.ca/issues/ISArticle.asp?id=79712&issue=02042008&story_id=&PC=FBC

[cartski]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

For those FT readers in Winnipeg, a one day conference will be held regarding the outbreak in Saskatchewan and its implications for public health.

J.


______________

Avian Influenza ?The Saskatchewan Experience? A Special Event hosted by Manitoba Health and Healthy Living

Much can be learned from Saskatchewan?s 2007 avian influenza outbreak. Presentations will focus on the public health and occupational health response.

We invite colleagues who may be involved in an avian influenza public health or occupational health response to participate.

Friday, March 14, 2008 8:30 am - 4:30 pm University of Manitoba Aboriginal Centre Classroom C 11 The Promenade Winnipeg, MB (Main Floor of the apartment building behind Portage Place)

As space is limited, RSVP to Andrea.Fontaine-Barry@gov.mb.ca by Friday, February 29th

[cartski]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

I will be attending the conference tomorrow.

If anyone has relevant questions, points or comments that they would like to have addressed, please let me know.

J.

[canagica]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

H7N3 in Saskatchewan Canada[/B]
Recombinomics Commentary
September 27, 2007
...
Although the current outbreak is almost certainly linked to wild birds, the influenza surveillance program in Canada failed to detect high or low path H7 in wild birds this year or last year.
...

As Dr. Niman describes, no H7 was detected this year or last year in wild birds; they tested 56 Northern Pintails last year in southern Saskatchewan, 12,000+ birds across Canada. This year there were 1,000 ducks sampled from southern Sask...Given that there are millions of migratory waterfowl moving through Canada, 12000 total represents a pretty inconspicuous number--if we say that 10 million waterfowl migrate through Canada (still likely an underestimate), the testing hits roughly one tenth of one percent of the birds! And that's just waterfowl...

This underscores the problems with the lack of scale in wild bird testing, making it a less useful resource. It really depends on why the testing is being done--If what we want to know is more about where viruses are in the wild bird populations, we need testing at a much higher level, across a wide geographic range and a wide sweep of species. If we are primarily concerned with wild birds and poultry farms, testing should concentrate on sampling around chicken producers as birds move through the area. Either way, though, more sampling likely needs to be done in order to determine the rates of infection in wild birds.

A set of assays designed for wild birds wouldn't hurt, either.

[canagica]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

I will be attending the conference tomorrow.

If anyone has relevant questions, points or comments that they would like to have addressed, please let me know.

J.

It would be interesting to know if they have any of the pending data from the 1000 birds tested nearby at the conference (though they would appear to be well out of sequence with the outbreak), and, of course, if there is a redoubled effort to sample wild birds near or in the containment area.

Also, if they have any ideas about how the chickens were infected it would be good to know--from the description of the operation I would have expected high levels of biosecurity, but they do not mention if the buildings were sealed, if the flocks had access to the outdoors, etc.

[mixin]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

I recently found this really good study by CFIA that was done after the outbreak in Lower Fraser Valley in 2004. I thought they did a great job of examining all aspects of the infection. There was a request to further test sawdust from the poultry barns and it was an extremely poorly done study done by Defense Research & Development Canada that resulted in very little usable data.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/avflu/2004rep/epi1e.shtml

[Treyfish]

Re: Canadian Govt: Large Saskatchewan Chicken Farm - Highly pathogenic H7N3

Cartski has boots on the ground!Canadian's are on the frontline and get much props!