Canada expands bird flu surveillance program

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) fragments have been found in pasteurized milk sold in the United States. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada indicated in a press release that lactating cows imported from the United States will now be required to undergo testing.

Authorities will thoroughly test milk intended for retail sale for the presence of viral fragments.

Testing will also be available on a voluntary basis for cows that do not show clinical signs of HPAI as part of the dairy industry’s “enhanced biosecurity efforts.”

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration announced that about 20% of U.S. milk samples tested positive for avian flu fragments.

For its part, Canada ensures that milk and dairy products sold in stores remain safe for consumption and that pasteurization of dairy products is effective in inactivating the virus that causes HPAI, even if fragments remain.

The Government of Canada assures that if authorities believe there is a risk to food safety or animal health, immediate action will be taken to protect Canada’s food and livestock supplies.

“While the risk of transmission to humans remains low, the governments of Canada, the provinces and territories, and our counterparts in the United States are working together to actively monitor, prepare and respond as necessary to this evolving situation to help protect Canada’s livestock and protect the health of Canadians,” the press release said.