Emerging Issues
On 19 February 2021, Northwest Territories informed the CCVO of rabid foxes attacking domestic dogs
Since November 2020, Northwest Territories have had multiple reports of suspected rabid arctic foxes attacking domestic dogs in Tuktoyaktuk. The current outbreak appears to be higher in terms of the peaks seen with the fox/rabies cycles, and because of this, Northwest Territories is paying close attention to surrounding communities in the Beaufort Delta region.
To date, there are eight or nine reports of foxes attacking domestic dogs. Foxes involved in bite incidents and those exhibiting concerning behaviours have been caught and samples sent off to CFIA for rabies testing. So far, five tested positive from foxes and are awaiting further results. Eight dogs have been euthanized due to confirmed or suspected rabies exposure through fox bites, or in some cases, due to presenting with symptoms of rabies following a known or suspected fox interaction.
Strategies for the protection of human and domestic animal health, increased awareness in communities regarding bite prevention/rabies awareness, and enhanced monitoring for wildlife rabies are currently underway, in cooperation with the Departments of Health and Social Services and Environment and Natural Resources.
On 24 December 2020, British Columbia informed the CCVO of mink on second farm test positive for COVID-19 virus
Three mink that died on a second Fraser Valley mink farm have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.
The Chief Veterinarian for B.C. Rayna E. Gunvaldsen has placed the farm under a quarantine order prohibiting the movement of animals and materials from the property to minimize the risk of the virus spreading. A plan is in place to provide feed and care to the mink during the outbreak that respects the conditions of the quarantine and maintains both worker and mink safety. No workers on the farm have tested positive for COVID-19 to date.
All mink farms in B.C. are contributing to an enhanced surveillance and testing program to monitor for COVID-19. The farms were inspected by ministry staff as part of a routine process in summer 2020 to ensure they were in compliance with all animal welfare and biosecurity standards, which offer the best preventative measures against disease.
On 9 December 2020, British Columbia informed the CCVO of mink test positive for COVID-19 virus
Test results from five mink samples taken from a Fraser Valley mink farm have all been confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans.
After several workers on the farm tested positive for COVID-19, mink samples were collected and submitted to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg. The OIE-World Organisation for Animal Health was notified under international reporting requirements.
B.C.’s chief veterinarian has placed the farm under a quarantine order prohibiting the movement of animals and materials from the property. A plan is in place to provide feed and care to the mink during the outbreak. The plan respects the conditions of the quarantine and maintains worker and mink safety.
On 31 October 2020, Alberta informed the CCVO of a human infection with
influenza A(H1N2) variant virus (A[H1N2]v).
According to the report, on October 29, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) was notified of a confirmed human case of influenza A(H1N2) variant virus, marking the first influenza A(H1N2)v detection in a Canadian resident since WHO reporting began in 2005.
A linkage between the patient and a farm is being investigated. No further indications of human illness have been noted at this time.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, chief medical officer of health, and Dr. Keith Lehman, chief provincial veterinarian, issued the following statement on Influenza A(H1N2)v in Alberta:
“A confirmed case of variant Influenza A(H1N2)v has been detected in central Alberta. This currently appears to be one isolated case and there is no increased risk to Albertans at this time. This is the only influenza case reported in Alberta so far this flu season”.