Pandemic H1N1 2009, Canada (OIE, WAHID Interface, 10/26/09, edited)

[Giuseppe]

Pandemic H1N1 2009, Canada (OIE, WAHID Interface, 10/26/09, edited)

[Source English PDF reports: LINK. EDITED.]

Pandemic H1N1 2009, Canada

Information received on 23/10/2009 from Dr Brian Evans, Executive Vice President, Office of the President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, OTTAWA, Canada

• Summary
  • Report type Immediate notification
  • Start date 09/10/2009
  • Date of first confirmation of the event 16/10/2009
  • Report date 23/10/2009
  • Date submitted to OIE 23/10/2009
  • Reason for notification Emerging disease
  • Morbidity 80 %
  • Mortality 0 %
  • Zoonotic impact Pandemic Influenza H1N1
  • Causal agent Pandemic H1N1 virus
  • Serotype Other
  • This event pertains to the whole country

• New outbreaks
  • Summary of outbreaks
    • Total outbreaks: 1
    • Location(s) - ONTARIO (Waterloo-Wellington county)
      • Total animals affected: Species - Susceptible - Cases - Deaths - Destroyed - Slaughtered
      • Birds - 7300 **

• Outbreak statistics
  • Species - Apparent morbidity rate - Apparent mortality rate - Apparent case fatality rate - Proportion susceptible animals lost*
    • Birds ** - ** - ** - **
    • * Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
    • ** Not calculated because of missing information

• Epidemiology
  • Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
    • Unknown or inconclusive

• Epidemiological comments
  • In barn #1, birds are at week 52. The morbidity is related to the egg drop. During a period of one week, the egg production dropped from about 1,800 eggs/day to about 300 eggs/day (about 80%). The production now seems to increase. Very little clinical evidence of disease other than the drop in egg production. A slight increase in mortality was reported (about 10 birds over 3 day weekend) but may not be associated to the pandemic H1N1.
  • In barn #2, a drop in egg production was noted on 21 October.
  • Initial testing on samples submitted on 12 October was done at the Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph, Ontario. Confirmation at the CFIA National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases in Winnipeg.
  • The closest matches for the H1 and M fragments are all pandemic H1N1 2009 (450/450bp, 100% identity and 245/245, 100% identity respectively to a number of human clinical samples).
  • The full length of the N1 gene was sequenced and the closest matches are all of the pandemic H1N1 2009 type. The identities were 1400/1402 (>99%), gaps = 0/1402 (0%).
  • Conclusion: Together with the RT-PCR results, the partial sequences of the H1 and M genes and the N1 sequence confirm diagnosis of pandemic H1N1 2009.
  • The samples have also been inoculated in eggs and may provide some isolates for further analysis.
  • The premises has an intense biosecurity protocol. The producer has voluntarily quarantined his flock in an effort to prevent further virus dissemination. This approach is consistent with the national policy on the presence of pandemic H1N1 virus in swine and poultry.
  • Ontario Public Health authorities are following up with individuals who had contact with the flock in an effort to determine their exposure and possible sources of infection. At this point, there is no evidence to suggest the flock was infected from an animal source.

• Control measures
  • Measures applied
    • Quarantine
    • Vaccination prohibited
    • No treatment of affected animals
  • Measures to be applied
    • No other measures

• Diagnostic test results
  • Laboratory name and type Animal Health Laboratory, University of Guelph (Local laboratory)
    • Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
      • Birds - gene sequencing - 16/10/2009 - Positive
      • Birds - reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) - 16/10/2009 - Positive
    • Laboratory name and type CFIA - National Centre for Foreign Animal Diseases (National laboratory)
      • Tests and results: Species - Test - Test date - Result
        • Birds - gene sequencing - 22/10/2009 - Positive
        • Birds - reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) - 19/10/2009 - Positive

• Future Reporting
  • The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.

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