H5 avian influenza in British Columbia

Not surprisingly, avian influenza of the H5 subtype have been found in "ducks" in British Columbia .  The neuraminidase subtype is currently being determined. 

"I can tell you right off the top, there's no question we were surprised by the large number of H5 samples [25% of 700 samples],'' British Columbia's Chief Veterinarian Dr. Ron Lewis told a teleconference call from Victoria.

"But having said that, we've never tested birds in this flyway before, so we really don't have any idea whether this is a normal factor or whether these are increased numbers or whether they're decreased numbers. It is just a snapshot surveillance at one particular point in time.''

I agree with both statement - in the Central Flyway, H5 is much less common that what was seen in this sample, but as this is the first time the Pacific Flyway has been sampled in British Columbia, it is hard to say what this high percentage means.

I would be very surprised if this strain turns out to be the same H5N1 that is widely distributed in Eurasia. 

Damien