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Officials: Bird Flu Found In Canada Unlikely To Be Deadly Strain
Canadian Officials Say Bird Flu Common In Migratory Birds
POSTED: 2:54 pm PST October 31,
2005
TORONTO -- Canadian officials are trying to calm nerves after nearly three dozen wild ducks tested positive for the bird flu virus. They said it's unlikely to be the same virus that's blamed for more than 60 human deaths in Southeast Asia.A news release from the Public Health Agency of Canada said the detection of an H5 bird flu strain is not unexpected; the virus is commonly seen in migratory birds around the world and various types and strains have been detected in North America over the last 30 years, with no impact on human health. Dr. Jim Clark with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the virus was detected in a national survey of birds, and none of the wild ducks tested were ill. Clark said the strain in Asia caused many afflicted birds to die. But he said it'll take at least a week to determine the type of virus found in the wild ducks.Health officials are concerned that the bird flu virus will mutate into a form that jumps from person-to-person. If that happens, it could create a pandemic. Additional Resources:
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