First case of bird flu detected at Manitoba commercial poultry flock
Posted April 24, 2022 5:50 pm.
A confirmed case of avian influenza was found in a commercial poultry flock in Manitoba.
This is the first case of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in a commercial flock in the province.
It was detected in the Rural Municipality of Whitemouth on Saturday.
The infected premises was placed under quarantine, according to a release from the Government of Manitoba.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is investigating and will put in place what it calls “movement control measures” at neighbouring farms in that area.
Avian flu was first confirmed in Manitoba last week as the contagious strain sweeps over North America.
Manitoba Natural Resources says the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain was found in snow geese in the province’s southwest and in a bald eagle in the Dauphin area.
READ MORE:
- Avian flu found in Manitoba as contagious strain sweeps over North America
- Growing concern avian flu could spread to Manitoba: ‘It’s just a matter of time’
- Food industry adjusting to large outbreak of avian flu in Canada, around the world
Bird flu has been confirmed in several Canadian provinces and the United States, including south of Manitoba in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Manitoba says the virus doesn’t threaten food safety.
The risk of avian influenza to human health is low, but the province is warning people to not touch dead birds or other wildlife with their bare hands.
Manitoba Agriculture is advising small flock owners to take precautions, especially if they have outdoor or free-roaming birds.
—With files from The Canadian Press.