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Will you be getting the H1N1 flu vaccine? (pg. 12)
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| ChemEnhanced |
H1N1 hits local turkey flock
Kitchener's Hybrid Turkeys quarantines barn where virus
was likely passed
to birds by workers
October 21, 2009
BY BRIAN CALDWELL AND BRENT DAVIS, RECORD STAFF
KITCHENER — Turkeys in a breeding barn owned by a Kitchener-based company are infected with the same strain of the H1N1 influenza virus that is circulating in humans.
Hybrid Turkeys voluntarily quarantined the barn housing the birds. Provincial officials said Tuesday that they pose little risk to the public.
Dr. Deb Stark, chief veterinarian for Ontario, said the facility doesn't produce turkeys or eggs for human consumption.
“We believe there is no significant public health risk,” she said. “We believe there is no food safety risk.”
Stark said there are approximately 3,500 birds in the barn, although the company's manager of science and technology said there are about 3,000.
In an interview at Hybrid's Kitchener office, Dr. Helen Wojcinski said the virus is contained to one of two barns at the farm. The exact location has not been released.
In business since 1953, Hybrid is one of the largest primary turkey breeding companies in the world. It has about 180 employees in Canada, the United States, France and Germany.
The company said it is working closely with government officials after noticing a significant reduction in egg production just before the Thanksgiving weekend, a symptom of an influenza infection.
The quarantine was imposed, and samples were sent away for testing. The virus was confirmed late Monday.
It's believed the virus was transmitted to the turkeys by humans in the barn. A number of employees had cold-like symptoms before the drop-off in egg production, the only sign something was wrong with the hens.
“The other barn remains totally normal with respect to egg production,” said Wojcinski, a veterinarian. Strict biosecurity measures were already in place on the farm and between the two barns, she said.
Although primarily transmitted through human-to-human contact, Stark said, there have been isolated cases of human-to-animal transmission, including another recent case involving turkeys in Chile.
“We understand the influenza virus does sometimes move from one species to another,” Stark said. “We've seen this happen already with swine.”
Stark said officials don't believe any eggs from infected birds were shipped from the facility, adding it was “highly unlikely” for the virus to be transmitted through eggs. Hatchlings from this facility are used for breeding purposes as well.
Health officials said the case emphasizes the importance of basic precautions such as handwashing and staying home from work when ill, along with the need for livestock workers to get both seasonal and H1N1 flu shots.
Local public health officials are notifying about 20 people who may have had contact with turkeys at the Hybrid facility.
Any employees entering the infected barn to care for the birds during the quarantine are being asked to wear masks, in addition to pre-existing measures. Those include using coveralls, boots and bonnets that are dedicated to a specific barn, sanitizing hands and showering upon entering or leaving the farm.
“All of our focus is on preventive medicine and biosecurity,” Wojcinski said. “We're obviously concerned about the safety and welfare and health of our employees as well.”
It usually takes about two to three weeks for a turkey flock to recover from a virus, she said. Once tests show the birds are no longer infected, the quarantine will be released. The company may then decide to remove these turkeys from future egg production, Wojcinski said. |
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| Jayx1 |
maybe it a new strain of turkey flu??
OH NO RUN FOR COVER!!! |
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| DigiNut |
| quote: | Originally posted by ChemEnhanced
Dr. Deb Stark, chief veterinarian for Ontario, said the facility doesn't produce turkeys or eggs for human consumption. |
Like they really need to point this out, after it was clearly and unambiguously reported within days after the initial outbreak that the virus is NOT transmissible through the food supply.
*le sigh*
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| Endlesswave |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
what that article doesnt take into account is the next manufactured "Pandemic" which im sure is being mixed up as we speak! |
Dude, wth are you talking about? Not everything is a conspiracy. I'm with G on this one, get me my tin foil hat. :rolleyes:
Also, what about the 1913 or whatever year it was REAL flu pandemic in which millions died ? What if this flu is similar (which they expect) what will you say then? Nothing. |
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| Abercrombie |
| What's ironic is that some people will pop in random pills at a nightclub, but will go on dramatic crusades against vaccines. |
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| VolumE_TO |
| quote: | Originally posted by Abercrombie
What's ironic is that some people will pop in random pills at a nightclub, but will go on dramatic crusades against vaccines. |
+1 |
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| MikeyN |
| quote: | Originally posted by Abercrombie
What's ironic is that some people will pop in random pills at a nightclub, but will go on dramatic crusades against vaccines. |
lol
- Intangible
(oops wrong account) |
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| FunkyCrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by Abercrombie
What's ironic is that some people will pop in random pills at a nightclub, but will go on dramatic crusades against vaccines. |
Aj is on fire in this thread :D |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Endlesswave
Dude, wth are you talking about? Not everything is a conspiracy. I'm with G on this one, get me my tin foil hat. :rolleyes:
Also, what about the 1913 or whatever year it was REAL flu pandemic in which millions died ? What if this flu is similar (which they expect) what will you say then? Nothing. |
Not everything is a conspiracy... but this sure smells like one.
The spanish flu killed millions in 1918 partially because of sanitary living conditions in much of the world at the time including here.
I have no doubt that the swine flu will infect millions. And that some will die. And it IS possible I am wrong about all of this. But with swine flu, SARS, Y2K and all the other BS we are supposed to be scared of, wolf has been cried way too many times. And the way this has been presented and the reaction to it has been suspect from the start. |
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| 1dawoman |
| quote: | Originally posted by Abercrombie
What's ironic is that some people will pop in random pills at a nightclub, but will go on dramatic crusades against vaccines. |
Since when is popping a pill (which will eventually be broken down by the strong acid in the stomach) comparable to injecting a foreign substance into your blood stream?
I'd rather take my chances and go with the pill. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Abercrombie
What's ironic is that some people will pop in random pills at a nightclub, but will go on dramatic crusades against vaccines. |
That is ironic.. its like health nut vegans on coke LOL
Ive never done pills for the same reason i wont take this vaccine :) |
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| FunkyCrew |
| quote: | Originally posted by 1dawoman
Since when is popping a pill (which will eventually be broken down by the strong acid in the stomach) comparable to injecting a foreign substance into your blood stream?
I'd rather take my chances and go with the pill. |
hahahha are you for real?
and the pill is NOT foreign substances? do you like get your pills from a certified dealer that puts the ingredients on the packaging? :stongue: :stongue: |
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