What to learn about hen flu, poultry and dairy farms

TORONTO –

Individuals have been listening to quite a bit about H5N1 hen flu — or extremely pathogenic avian influenza — since a B.C. teen grew to become the primary human to get the virus in Canada and is in hospital.

It isn’t but identified how the teenager bought contaminated, however Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public well being officer, stated on Wednesday that genomic sequencing exhibits they’ve a pressure of H5N1 just like the strains present in poultry farm outbreaks in British Columbia.

Greater than 20 places with contaminated poultry have been recognized within the province because the starting of October, based on a information launch posted not too long ago on the B.C. authorities web site.

The H5N1 pressure the teenager has isn’t the identical genotype that is been present in individuals who had been contaminated by dairy cattle within the U.S., Tam stated in an interview.

Whereas there have been a number of outbreaks of hen flu on dairy farms in a number of states, the virus has not been detected on dairy farms wherever in Canada.

How do we all know dairy cattle aren’t contaminated?

The Canadian Meals Inspection Company has been testing uncooked milk arriving at processing vegetation in every province for the hen flu virus.

It has additionally been testing pasteurized retail milk samples.

Tam stated that like wastewater testing for viruses similar to COVID-19 and seasonal flu, the milk testing goals to supply an “early warning” sign if H5N1 has reached dairy farms in Canada.

If H5N1 leads to milk, is it nonetheless protected to drink?

Sure, so long as milk has been pasteurized, the Canadian Meals Inspection Company says.

“In Canada, milk have to be pasteurized earlier than sale. The pasteurization course of kills dangerous micro organism and viruses, together with HPAI (extremely pathogenic avian influenza), guaranteeing milk and milk merchandise are protected to drink and eat,” the CFIA web site says.

Is it suitable for eating poultry, eggs and beef?

Sure, so long as they’re cooked completely.

The place are the contaminated poultry farms?

As of Nov. 13, there have been 28 contaminated poultry places in British Columbia, two in Alberta and one in Saskatchewan, based on the Canadian Meals Inspection Company’s web site.

Shayan Sharif, a pathobiology professor on the Ontario Veterinary School on the College of Guelph, stated he believes H5N1 will attain poultry farms in different provinces.

“I hope to be confirmed fallacious … however I feel it is in all probability going to come back eastward within the not too distant future,” he informed The Canadian Press.

What do you do when there’s an H5N1 an infection on a farm?

Farmers are required to inform the CFIA if they believe their birds or livestock have avian flu.

All poultry have to be killed on farms which have examined constructive for H5N1, stated Sharif. However cattle do not should be killed, he stated.

The virus will be unfold by means of direct contact with contaminated animals, however may also unfold by means of contaminated barns and different environments.

“Biosecurity” is without doubt one of the most vital methods to cease the unfold of avian flu between farms, Sharif stated.

Which means employees ought to put on private protecting gear and alter clothes after they enter and exit a farm the place avian flu has been detected.

It additionally means not sharing gear between farms, in addition to washing and disinfecting vans delivering provides and feed, he stated.

Sharif stated he helps providing avian flu vaccines to farm employees — a transfer that Finland has adopted.

Well being Canada has licensed three influenza vaccines that could possibly be used to guard towards H5N1 avian flu.

These vaccines will not be at present out there right here, however Tam stated public well being officers are “very ” in studying from Finland and are actively trying into the potential use of H5N1 vaccines as they monitor avian flu exercise in Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Nov. 15, 2024.

Canadian Press well being protection receives help by means of a partnership with the Canadian Medical Affiliation. CP is solely chargeable for this content material.