The Canadian Food Inspection Agency Establishes Avian Influenza Control Zone

Ottawa, ON (Marketwired) - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has established an Avian Influenza Control Zone in Ontario to control the movement of animals, products and equipment in the area to minimize disease spread.

The boundary of the Avian Influenza Control Zone covers a 3km radius from the single premises confirmed to be infected with avian influenza, located near St. Catharines, Ontario.

All premises located within this zone will be placed under quarantine; however, only the initial infected premises has confirmed positive for avian influenza. The Agency is monitoring all premises within the zone for any signs of disease.

The Avian Influenza Control Zone is part of an internationally accepted practice to allow trade to continue from non-infected areas of a country. We continue to work very closely with industry and our international partners as this situation develops.

Avian influenza does not pose a risk to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. Avian influenza rarely affects humans that do not have consistent contact with infected birds.

Poultry farmers are reminded to practice a high level of biosecurity to reduce the risk of disease spread, and report any suspicious symptoms in their flocks to the CFIA.

For more information on avian influenza and measures poultry farmers can take to protect their flocks, please visit the CFIA web site at inspection.gc.ca.