Eighty-five wild birds found dead in Alberta during the summer 2006 were received as part of the provincial avian influenza surveillance programs. The dead bird program focused on waterfowl,...
Description
Eighty-five wild birds found dead in Alberta during the summer 2006 were received as part of the provincial avian influenza surveillance programs. The dead bird program focused on waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors found dead or reported as part of a mortality event in Alberta. In addition, a sample of found dead crows and magpies submitted as part of the West Nile virus surveillance program was tested for avian influenza. Two birds were unsuitable for testing. Of the remaining 83 birds, low pathogenic strains of avian influenza were found in 3 birds: 2 gulls and 1 mallard. Subtypes H5 and H7, which have the potential to develop highly pathogenic strains in domestic poultry, were not found in the dead wild birds tested as part of this program. There is no evidence that the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain causing mortality in parts of Asia, Europe, and Africa has arrived in North America.