H1N1 Flu Infection Found In An Ontario Turkey Flock
urkeys in one barn at an Ontario facility have been found to be infected with the H1N1 flu virus.
Food safety is not at risk. No birds or eggs from this facility have entered the food chain. Proper cooking practices destroy the influenza virus.
As a best practice, all individuals are encouraged to practice proper hygiene and, if they have flu-like symptoms, they should stay at home, and avoid contact with livestock. Ontarians should get vaccinated against both H1N1 and the seasonal flu as the vaccines become available.
Test results indicate that the strain of flu isolated from the turkeys is the same as the H1N1 flu that has been circulating among humans since April 2009.
Local public health units are contacting individuals who may have had contact with the flock. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Labour will continue to monitor the situation and work with the producer and their employees.
The producer has voluntarily quarantined the infected birds and put movement controls in place.