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Highly pathogenic in wild and domestic birds

The highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in Quebec and Canada in wild and farmed birds. Although the risk of transmission from birds to humans is low, it poses a significant threat to the health of farmed poultry. The Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ) is asking for your vigilance and cooperation in order to optimize the surveillance and prevention measures for this flu. As a citizen:

• Report dead or moribund wild birds to the ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP) at 1-877-346-6763
• Do not handle the bird until instructed.

Urban hens, small livestock and commercial farms
As an owner, you must rigorously enforce prevention and biosecurity measures in accordance with the requirements of the Règlement sur les conditions de salubrité des lieux de garde d’oiseaux captifs:

• Domestic birds must be kept in a fenced building or space to prevent free roaming;
• Bird feeders and water troughs must be protected, so that no migrating bird can access or stain them;
• Surface water should not be used to water birds or to clean equipment and buildings;
• It is forbidden to keep domestic birds and migrating birds at the same street address.

The MAPAQ recommand the followings:

• Avoid direct or indirect contact between farmed and wild birds by confining birds in a closed building where possible, or in a roofed enclosure (e.g., net);
• Avoid attracting wild birds with the presence of food, water area or accumulation of water on the ground near the penned:
• Clean and disinfect any vehicle or equipment before each entry or exit of the premises;
• Restrict access to the farm to authorized persons only and ensure that those persons comply with existing biosecurity measures (keep a visitor log if possible);
• Avoid contact between backyard and commercial farms (e.g., staff sharing).

In case of unusual mortalities or signs of the disease, consult a veterinarian. If you are unable to find a veterinarian, call 450-768-6763 to contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) Sick Bird Reporting Line or 1 844 ANIMALS to contact the MAPAQ Reporting Central.

Buying and selling chicks
The MAPAQ recommends to buy chicks from a commercial hatchery under CFIA health supervision; birds from these hatcheries are free of several diseases of importance to the poultry sector and have a known health status. It is also necessary to avoid buying or exchanging birds between small farms.

Seasonal flu vaccination clinic

By appointment for vulnerable persons

The flu can have serious consequences for those suffering from diabetes, weakened immune systems, heart, kidney or lung disease.
You can now make an appointment:

1. On www.clicsante.ca, select “Seasonal Flu Vaccine” and enter your postal code
2. By telephone: 1-877-817-5279

►►►The vaccine is free for vulnerable persons and their family members:

• Pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of their pregnancy;
• Persons who are 6 months old or more who have a chronic disease (including pregnant women, no matter what the stage of their pregnancy);
• Persons aged 75 years and over.
• The close relatives and friends of the persons at risk mentioned, or of children under the age of 6 months, and health workers can also receive the vaccine free of charge.

Recent studies have shown that children between the ages of 6 and 23 months, as well as seniors between 60 and 74 years who are in good health have a risk of hospitalization and death associated with the flu comparable to that of the general population in good health. The flu vaccination is therefore no longer recommended for these individuals. However, for the 2023 vaccination campaign, the persons who wish to be vaccinated can receive the vaccination for free.

Persons not targeted by this free vaccination campaign who wish to be vaccinated should ask for information from pharmacies or medical clinics; some of these organizations offer the vaccine for a fee.

At the time of your appointment, if a person 13 years of age or older accompanies you, that person must present his or her vaccination proof to enter the building.

For full details, visit www.vaccincontrelagrippe.com or Santé Montérégie.

The Québec government's intervention plan

Saint-Lazare does not figure amongst regions that will be treated with Btk against West Nile virus-bearing mosquitoes.
See the Quebec government's 2013 intervention plan (in French)

TACKLE MOSQUITOES NOW BY ELIMINATING STAGNANT WATER

West Nile virus infects mosquitoes in greater numbers in August and September, even though there are fewer mosquitoes at this time of year. As a result, the risk of transmission to humans is higher until the end of the summer season.  "As there is no vaccine or specific treatment against West Nile virus, prevention must remain the cornerstone of our public health intervention,says Dr. Jocelyne Sauvé, Director of Public Health for the Montérégie region. We therefore invite all Montérégiens to take the necessary preventive measures by eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites, since mosquitoes are the main vector of the disease".

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water. A pond near your home is an excellent breeding site. A female can lay between 200 and 300 eggs several times during the summer, and these take around four days to develop into adults ready to fly. All it takes for mosquitoes to develop is a little water, which is why it's important to eliminate all sources of stagnant water:

• Regularly remove water that collects on outdoor items: children's toys, saucers under flower pots, recycling bins, dustbins, protective tarpaulins, etc.
• Eliminate unnecessary items lying around the property, such as old tires, as water collects on them.
• Change the water in the wading pool, bird trough and cattle trough twice a week.
• Cover rain barrels - tanks in which rainwater is collected and stored - with mosquito netting.
• Regularly clean gutters to prevent water from accumulating and ensure proper drainage.
• If the ornamental pond is not equipped with a pump, introduce fish into it, as they eat mosquito larvae.
  

Mosquito breeding grounds

For further information on WNV, or to report a dead bird, contact Communication-Québec at 1-800-363-1363. You can also visit the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux website by clicking here