H5N2 Avian Influenza Confirmed on Second Ontario Farm — Updated

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Update, April 22, 2015: The CFIA has confirmed the subtype and strain of the virus on the second infected farm is the highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza. The farm is located outside the 10-km-radius control zone around the original infected farm near Woodstock. 

CFIA has established a second Avian Influenza Control Zone around this second farm to control the movement of animals, products and equipment within the zone to minimize disease spread. The zone spans across a portion of Oxford County and Waterloo County, Ontario.

All premises having poultry on site located within the second Avian Influenza Control Zone have now been placed under quarantine; however, only the second infected premises has shown any signs of illness, says CFIA. CFIA says it is monitoring the additional quarantined premises closely for any signs of disease.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says a second case of H5 avian influenza has been discovered in southwestern Ontario.

Follow this link for information on biosecurity protocols

According to a statement from the CFIA, preliminary testing by the province confirmed the H5 virus on a broiler breeder chicken farm in Oxford County — the same county where the H5N2 virus was found in a turkey flock earlier this month.

The initial tests were conducted at the University of Guelph on April 17th after birds on the farm died suddenly. The farm has since been placed under quarantine.

The CFIA says further testing is underway to confirm the specific subtype and strain of the virus.

It’s believed the H5 virus is being spread by migratory birds.

More on the spread of avian influenza:

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