SAINT-CLAUDE, Qc — The company Canards du Lac Brome confirmed on Wednesday the presence of avian influenza of the H5N1 subtype on its breeding site in Saint-Claude, in the Eastern Townships.
As soon as the case was confirmed on Tuesday, the company quarantined the site and immediately contacted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which is currently overseeing activities on site.
The management of Canards du Lac Brome says it is collaborating with specialists from the CFIA and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) in order to fight the disease and quickly stem the risk of the spread of virus. Biosecurity measures have been put in place, such as the cleaning and disinfection of equipment, footwear and vehicle tires.
Avian influenza viruses can, on rare occasions, cause illness in humans. However, avian influenza is not a food safety issue and it is not possible to become infected with the virus by consuming cooked poultry. The company says that all of its products on store shelves are safe and healthy.
In Canada, highly pathogenic avian influenza, such as the H5N1 subtype, is a reportable disease.
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