A L E R T ! FBCC December 2021 Pigeon Fanciers please note too.

[Killerbunny]

FBCC Reportable/Notifiable Disease Summary
December 2021

Ontario
Infectious Laryngotracheitis(ILT) cases
In early December, pheasants, and peafowl in a small exhibition flock near Colborne in southern Northumberland County, were diagnosed with ILT. A 5 km Biosecurity Advisory Area, established by the FBCC remains in place. No commercial flocks are in the vicinity. The Biosecurity Advisory established in mid-November for Arnprior area of Renfrew County has now been lifted.

In mid- December, ILT was diagnosed in a flock of 17,000 heavy roaster chickens west of Smithville in Niagara region. A 10 km radius Biosecurity Advisory Area has been established. Recovery efforts at the farm are nearing completion. FBCC has coordinated weekly health monitoring calls to the 74 commercial poultry farms in the Area. There are also 267 registered small flocks in the area. No new infections have appeared to date. One year ago, a different strain of ILT infected 7 commercial poultry farms just east of this area.

The FBCC/Farm Health Guardian joint geo-fencing project involving all sectors of the Niagara poultry industry is now operational. The purpose is to enhance biosecurity and control disease spread. Farmers and industry stakeholders in Niagara area who have not yet signed up should contact lorraine@farmhealthguardian.com.

Pigeon Paramyxovirus (PPMV-1)
In response to recent diagnosis of Pigeon Paramyxovirus-1 in two Ontario racing pigeon flocks, OMAFRA released a Veterinary Advisory on Newcastle Disease. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency imposed movement controls on each of the premises until 60 days after the last clinical signs followed by cleaning and disinfection. The highly infectious nature of this virus combined with similar clinical signs to Avian Influenza is of concern. Fortunately, there are no commercial poultry flocks in either vicinity.

Newfoundland & Labrador- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
On December 20, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of HPAI, subtype H5N1, at a 419-bird multi-species exhibition premises on the Avalon Peninsula. A mortality of 86% was reported. Surviving birds were culled. The premises was quarantined, and movement control measures and enhanced biosecurity imposed on farms within a 10 km zone. Because this exhibition farm does not produce birds for sale, Canada’s disease-free status should be maintained.
The CFIA is reminding Canadian poultry owners to take an active role in protecting their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on their property and immediately reporting any signs of illness to their veterinarian. OMAFRA’s Chief Veterinarian previously issued an Avian Influenza Industry Update for Avian Influenza .
This is the same H5N1 strain (clade 2.3.4.4b) that is circulating in Europe. According to an OFFLU statement, this is the first time that this clade has been detected in the Americas. This is the first HPAI case reported in Canada since the 2015 outbreak in Ontario.

On Dec. 31, CBC reported H5N1 avian influenza, had been confirmed in wild birds in areas like Bowring Park, Quidi Vidi Lake of St. John’s. It is believed that a major North Atlantic storm that hit this area in early October may have swept along migrating waterfowl from northern Europe. Two novel European geese species have been identified.
Wild bird Avian Influenza surveillance conducted by the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative in partnership with government agencies has reported an increase in Ontario this year in wild birds carrying the Influenza A virus, including the H5 strain. In Ontario, out of 416 live wild birds tested, 10% were H5 +ve and 27% were positive for Influenza A in general. None of these birds were clinically ill.