Poultry Infosheet: The Facts About Bird Flu

Avian Influenza (also known as "Bird Flu") continues to make headlines, sometimes causing confusion and anxiety among the general public. Is it safe to travel to Europe or Asia? Is it safe to eat poultry? Is it safe to go near wild birds?

Bird Flu, in its current form, is almost exclusively a disease of birds and does not pose a general threat to public health.

The reason that avian influenza and pandemic influenza have been linked together by some people is the potential for a virus usually found in animals to mutate and form a new virus that could easily infect humans, both directly and from one human to another. There is currently no human influenza pandemic in the world. To read more about influenza pandemics and what you can do, please go to www.health.gov.on.ca/pandemic.

The following points may also help put Bird Flu into perspective.

• There are many different strains of Avian Influenza virus, commonly found in wild birds. Most cause no harm to birds or humans. The particular strain causing illness overseas is known as H5N1 (Asia).
  
• H5N1 (Asia) has not been detected in North America.
  
• Currently, H5N1 (Asia) does not cross easily from birds to humans. Almost all human cases to date resulted from direct contact with infected domestic birds or their droppings.
  
• There is no reason for the public to avoid eating properly cooked poultry and eggs.
  
• There is no evidence of cats infecting humans. A few cases of H5N1 (Asia) have been reported in domestic cats in Europe and Asia, but these were also caused by direct exposure to infected birds.
  
• The virus is likely being spread both by migrating wild birds and by the sometimes illegal movement of infected live poultry and on contaminated clothing and equipment. Wild birds may introduce the virus to a region or country, but poor biosecurity allows it to infect commercial poultry operations and spread to other farms.
  
• Because of migratory patterns, there is a chance that the virus will show up in wild birds this year in North America. The presence of the virus, however, does not necessarily mean that it will become widespread or that it will affect commercial poultry or humans. It certainly does not signal the start of a pandemic.

Notwithstanding all these facts, prevention and preparedness are appropriate at this time. The key to managing Bird Flu is controlling the disease in domestic poultry before it can become something more serious to humans as well as an economic disaster for the poultry industry. Another important step is minimizing the contact, and possible mixing, among influenza viruses of birds, humans and other animals. Because of this, controlling the annual human flu virus through vaccination and good hygiene practices will also contribute to pandemic prevention, in addition to being a good public health measure.

What can be done to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza in Poultry?

• Governments are working with wildlife experts to detect the presence of Avian Influenza viruses in wild birds. Plans are in place for dealing with H5N1 if it is detected in wild or domestic birds in Canada.
  
• The commercial poultry industry is making biosecurity practices mandatory for its producers. It is important for all producers to follow these protocols routinely.
  
• There is currently no need to restrict or cancel poultry shows. However, bird owners should always observe proper biosecurity practices when attending any such event where birds from different sources are mixed.
  
• Bird owners, including hobbyists and those raising non-quota poultry, should follow these Biosecurity Basics to protect their birds from possible infection.
  

The 5 Biosecurity Basics for Bird Owners

• Restrict visitor access. People can bring diseases onto your farm, especially if they own or have been in contact with other birds. Contact with your birds should be restricted to those caring for them. It is a good idea to have separate clothing and footwear for use when dealing with your birds.
  
• Prevent contact with wild birds and other animals. Keep your birds in an enclosed or screened in area, and protect their food and water from contamination.
• Don't bring disease home. New additions or birds that have been at a fair or market should be isolated and observed for signs of disease for at least two weeks before joining the flock. Equipment such as cages should not be shared with other bird owners. Any shared equipment should be thoroughly washed and disinfected.
  
• Keep it clean. Routinely wash and disinfect cages, feed and water surfaces, boots and any equipment that comes in contact with the birds or their droppings. Wash your hands thoroughly after dealing with the birds.
  
• Recognize and report illness. Early detection is critical in successfully dealing with a disease outbreak. It is better to be overcautious than too late. If your birds show signs of disease, such as depression, abnormal egg production or feed consumption, respiratory problems, diarrhea, or sudden death, call your local veterinarian or contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency immediately.

More detailed publications on commercial and non-commercial flock biosecurity are available from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca or call 1-877-424-1300) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (visit www.inspection.gc.ca or call 1-800-442-2342).

Media Contact:
Dave McLeod
(519) 826-3198