Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 7/28/09

                        

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said it will no longer quarantine swine herds when the H1N1 virus is detected.

Affected animals will be managed using the same veterinary management and biosecurity practices employed for other swine influenza viruses, CFIA said in a statement. This includes limiting opportunities for virus to spread to susceptible animals.

All herds in which the virus is detected will be monitored to verify that infected animals recover. In addition, surveillance for the presence of H1N1 in swine will continue, to detect any changes in how the virus affects swine and to identify any changes in the structure of the virus. Producers are encouraged to reinforce biosecurity measures at their facilities.

CFIA said Canada's slaughter system contains multiple inspection points to ensure that only healthy animals enter the food supply.

The agency said this approach is consistent with the recommendations of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and is based on research and observations made since the virus was first detected in swine, which indicate:

• There is no food safety risk associated with the virus
• There is no evidence at this time that animals are playing a significant role in the spread of the virus in the general human population and
• The virus does not behave any differently in pigs from other influenza viruses commonly detected in swine herds.

In May, an Alberta swine herd was placed under quarantine after 10 percent of the farm's 2,200 pigs showed symptoms of the H1N1 strain, believed to have been passed by a farm worker who became ill after a trip to Mexico.  As a result of the quarantine, the farmer had to cull 500 non-infected animals to avoid overcrowding.

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