I wonder if Avian influenza is transmittable in eggs?
Don't say that MamaDearest.
Wed Mar 10,12:06 AM ET
AMY CARMICHAEL
VANCOUVER (CP) - New tests have revealed that a rural B.C. chicken farm was a virus soup infected with mutating strains of avian flu, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Tuesday.
The agency said the tests found both mild and severe strains of the H7 virus. Originally, the agency thought it was dealing only with the weaker form.
"It is unusual - not unheard of - but it's a rare event to have both viruses on the same premises," said Dr. Ken Stepushyn, a veterinarian with the agency.
Tests show the virus was in the process of changing from a low to high pathogenic form in a second barn at the Loewen Acres hatchery in Abbotsford, B.C.
Pathogenicity refers to the intensity of the virus and its ability to jump to humans.
"It means it's a nasty virus on birds, it does kill birds at a higher rate so it's more deadly for the birds," Stepushyn said.
The agency stressed the risk to human health remains low and said this is not the same form of the virus that is killing people in Asia.
The agency said the farm followed strict international guidelines to stamp out high pathogenic outbreaks. It was quickly quarantined, some 16,000 birds on the property were slaughtered and an extensive disinfection process is underway.
"Our original response was quite timely. Putting the flock down was the right thing to do at the time," Stepushyn said.
Area poultry businesses did their part to stop the bird flu from spreading, making a pact to stay out of a hot-zone around Loewen Acres.
However, the plan might not have been successful. A second farm was quarantined Tuesday where some birds seemed to be suffering a low level of illness.
After initial tests were done at a provincial lab, the samples were sent to the CFIA headquarters to determine if avian flu is the culprit. Results are expected within the next day or so.
Meanwhile, the CFIA has set up an active surveillance program on the property.
The agency said it is continuing to check poultry farms in the area for signs of the virus, which was likely spread by wild ducks.
Last month, some 16,000 chickens were put to death at Loewen Acres.
Five workers fell ill with mild flu and conjunctivitis, but tests showed avian flu was not to blame in three of those cases.
The outbreak - only the third case in recent history - was found by a farmer who became alarmed when his birds began dying.
That prompted several countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, restricted imports of Canadian poultry.
Canada only exports about seven per cent of the chicken it produces and agriculture economists are confident that if consumption were to dip it would only be a temporary hiccup.
Chicken farms in Delaware and Texas were also infected with avian flu last month.
I have been wondering that myself. The price of eggs has skyrocketed. I just paid double of what they used to be.
Cook poultry, eggs thoroughly
Apart from maintaining good personal hygiene, Dr Ho also reminded the public to take precautions when eating poultry and eggs.
Here are some tips:
* Do not eat raw eggs or dip cooked food into sauce containing raw eggs;
* Cook eggs well until the white and the yolk are firm;
* Cook poultry thoroughly before eating; and
* If there are pinkish juices running from the cooked poultry or the middle part of its bone is still red in colour, the poultry should be cooked some more until it is fully done.
Want to know more about avian flu and its prevention? Visit the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section recently launched at the Avian Flu website.