Doctors concerned about potential spread of bird flu in Canada
H5N1 or avian flu has been detected at dozens of dairy farms in the United States and Canadian experts are urging surveillance on the north side of the border.
“We should be actively looking for it,” said Dr. Isaac Bogoch, infectious diseases specialist at Toronto’s University Health Network.
Bogoch says the number and diversity of mammals that have been affected by H5N1 this year has jumped dramatically.
“If more mammals are infected, the virus can obviously change and be more readily transmitted between mammals,” warns Bogoch.
Matthew Miller, from the McMaster Immunology Research Centre in Hamilton, says the mechanism that kept bird flu mainly in birds has suddenly made the transition to spread more readily in mammals, ranging from dogs and cats, cows, goats and sea lions.
But does that mean it will inevitably become widespread in humans?
“No, It’s not inevitable” says Miller. “But the risk, I would say, is profound.”
Miller points out no illness has caused more pandemics in recent history than influenza, citing the so-called Spanish flu pandemic in 1918, and flu pandemics in 1959, 1968, 1977 and most recently, swine flu in 2009.
The recent dairy farm outbreaks in the U.S. have prompted food inspections in ground beef and grocery store milk, with the Food and Drug Administration finding that one in five dairy samples tested was positive for H5N1 particles.
Bogoch points out the virus fragments are not able to cause illness in humans.
But in cats, fed raw milk at U.S. dairy farms, there was a high mortality rate, with upwards of 50 per cent of the cats who tested positive for H5N1 dying of the virus.
U.S. and Canadian dairy officials say pasteurization destroys the pathogens in milk and they urge consumers not to drink raw milk.
“Canadian dairy producers already adhere to some of the highest biosecurity standards in the world. It should be noted that only milk from heathy animals is authorized for distribution and for human consumption," Dairy Farmers of Canada added.
Miller says surveillance in Canadian poultry farms is already well established, but he wants active surveillance brought in for dairy operations, before we start seeing human cases of avian flu.
“I think systematic surveillance in cattle in Canada is warranted at this time, given what we know the risks are in the U.S.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Judge in Trump's hush money trial threatened to throw witness out of court for behavior on stand
Michael Cohen testified Monday that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from his ex-boss Donald Trump’s company, an admission defence lawyers hope to use to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
What is BORG drinking, and why is it a dangerous trend? An expert explains
If you've been to a party lately and haven't seen someone drinking a BORG, you're likely not partying with college students.
The world's best airline is paying staff a bonus of 8 months' salary
Singapore Airlines will reward its employees with a bonus worth nearly eight months of salary, a person familiar with the matter told CNN on Friday.
McGill says pro-Palestinian protest outside senior administrator's home 'crosses the line'
McGill University has denounced a pro-Palestinian protest held Sunday outside the home of one of its senior administrators.
Red Lobster probes 'endless shrimp' losses after bankruptcy filing
U.S.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in a Florida court after securing $100 million in financing commitments from its existing lenders, the company said on Sunday.
Katy Perry sings goodbye to 'American Idol'
Katy Perry said her goodbyes on 'American Idol' after seven seasons. On Sunday night’s live 'idol' season finale, a medley of Perry's hit songs were performed, including 'Teenage Dream,' 'Dark Horse' and 'California Gurls.'
Microsoft's AI chatbot will 'recall' everything you do on a PC
Microsoft wants laptop users to get so comfortable with its artificial intelligence chatbot that it will remember everything you're doing on your computer and help figure out what you want to do next.
Judge cites error, will reopen sentencing hearing for man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband
A federal judge will reopen the sentencing hearing for the man who broke into Nancy Pelosi's San Francisco home and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer after the judge failed to allow him to speak during his court appearance last week.
Woman, 35, in critical condition after her truck collided with a Via Rail train near Montreal
A 35-year-old woman is in critical condition after the pick-up truck she was driving was struck by a Via Rail passenger train Monday morning in Quebec's Monteregie region.