Amid bird flu spread, Canada boosts surveillance and testing at border – National | 24CA News

Health
Published 06.05.2024
Amid bird flu spread, Canada boosts surveillance and testing at border – National | 24CA News

The Canadian authorities is increasing its surveillance program for a type of avian flu amid a rising outbreak in U.S. dairy cattle.

Fragments of extremely pathogenic avian influenza have been detected in pasteurized milk offered within the U.S. and a press release from Canada’s well being companies on May 3 says lactating dairy cattle being imported from the United States will now require damaging assessments.

The assertion says officers might be conducting enhanced testing of milk on the retail stage to search for viral fragments.

It says voluntary testing will even be accessible for cows that aren’t presenting with scientific indicators of HPAI, as a part of “enhanced industry biosecurity efforts.”


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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mentioned final week about 20 per cent of milk samples from throughout the nation examined optimistic for fragments of avian flu.

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The Canadian assertion says commercially offered milk and milk merchandise stay secure to eat and pasteurization of dairy merchandise is efficient in inactivating the virus that causes HPAI, even when fragments of the virus stay.

It says if officers turn into conscious of any potential meals security or animal well being dangers, instant actions might be taken to assist defend Canada’s meals provide and livestock.

“While the risk of transmission to humans remains low, the Government of Canada, the provinces and territories, as well as our colleagues in the United States, are working together to actively monitor, prepare and respond as necessary to this evolving situation to help safeguard Canada’s cattle and protect the health of people in Canada,” the assertion says.

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