 |
|
|
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands |
|
|
PRECAUTIONARY QUARANTINE IN PLACE AT FRASER
VALLEY FARM |
|
VICTORIA – As a precautionary measure,
the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
(CFIA) have quarantined a commercial farm in the Fraser Valley, where a duck
has tested positive for an avian influenza-type virus. It is important to note that this recent
development does not indicate a threat to human health.
The positive sample was confirmed today at the
Provincial Animal Health Centre lab in Abbotsford. The sample will now be sent
to the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease (NCFAD) in Winnipeg for
further testing to fully characterize the virus and confirm its strain and
pathogenicity. The NCFAD is Canada’s national reference laboratory for avian
influenza. Testing is being conducted on a priority basis, results will be
communicated as soon as they are available, likely 7 days.
The measures being implemented are consistent with
the pre-emptive strategies arising from the joint industry-government reviews
following the 2004 Abbotsford control activities and current recommendations of
the World Organization for Animal Health.
Visit the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
online at www.al.gov.bc.ca or the CFIA
at www.inspection.gc.ca for more
information.
-30-
|
contact: |
Communications Director Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 250 356-2862 250 213-3072 (cell) |
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Media Relations 613 228-6682 |
|
|
||
|
Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services. |
||
