Avian metapneumovirus has been confirmed at 10 more commercial poultry operations in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Manitoba, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported.
These newest cases follow 14 earlier flock infections of the disease (also referred to WOAH as turkey rhinotracheitis) in Ontario and one earlier flock infection in Manitoba. Four of the latest premises to have confirmed cases are in Manitoba, while six are in Ontario. The new cases involve both turkeys and chickens. However, WOAH did not clarify whether the chickens were broilers or layers.
Among the newer cases listed in the latest WOAH report were:
- Two chickens in a commercial flock in Perth, Ontario
- Four turkeys in a commercial flock in Hanover, Manitoba
- 10 chickens in a commercial flock in Hanover, Manitoba
- 12 turkeys in a commercial flock in Hanover, Manitoba
- 19 birds in a mixed flock of commercial chickens and turkeys in Franklin, Manitoba
- One turkey in a commercial flock in Waterloo County, Ontario
- Two chickens in a commercial flock in Huron County, Ontario
- Two chickens in a commercial flock in Bruce County, Ontario
- Four chickens in a commercial flock in Oxford County, Ontario
- One turkey in a commercial flock in Huron County, Ontario
According to the WOAH report, the presence of the virus has been confirmed in 369 birds in the two provinces. Of those 253 birds died.
No control measures have been implemented nationally, WOAH stated.
