Bird flu and Canada’s wild bird Avian Influenza surveillance program

The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre collaborates with numerous federal and provincial juristictions across the country to ensure that wild birds in Canada are tested for the presence of the virus that causes Avian Influenza. Some strains of the virus can cause severe disease in animals such as poultry, swine, dogs and horses as well as humans. The purpose of the CCWHC national Avian Inlfuenza surveillance program is to ensure early detection of virulent strains of the virus in wild birds. The H7N9 strain currently causing disease in humans in China has not been detected in Canada to date.

For more information on Canada’s AIV program, click here.

News Article on the H7N9 situation, visit: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2013/04/09/wrd-china-bird-flu-death.html