A case of H5 avian flu has been detected in the western end of Prince Edward Island. The test was conducted at the Atlantic Veterinary College on a gosling from a small backyard poultry flock. Further testing will take place over the weekend to determine the exact strain and virulency of the virus.
Don Love, Regional Director for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said, “Our organization is responsible for the farm-related procedures and protocols regarding sick or potentially sick birds. We will be following established procedures to deal with the suspect case.”
Dr. Lamont Sweet, Chief Health Officer for PEI, said, “From the information we have received, there is a low risk of human illness at the present time. There is no evidence to suggest that the avian influenza virus can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of food, notably poultry and eggs. However, people need to continue washing their hands carefully after handling poultry.
Consumers should follow the long-standing advice from health authorities that poultry and eggs should be thoroughly cooked to protect themselves from the possible risks of food poisoning.
Dr. Sweet added, “We are working closely with the CFIA and the Department of Agriculture and the Public Health Agency of Canada to monitor the situation closely. We will also monitor evidence of flu-like symptoms or eye infections in those who have come in contact with domestic or wild birds in the West Prince area. If anyone in this area has been in contact with poultry in the last seven days and is experiencing flu-like symptoms, they should see their physician.”
Flu-like symptoms include the onset of cough, fever, runny nose or sore eyes within seven days of exposure to poultry.