Canada's bird flu vaccine order 'the right next step,' says Atlantic Vet College's infection control chief

Veterinarians on Prince Edward Island who have been monitoring the spread of avian influenza for years are encouraged by the federal government's move to vaccinate people who are most at risk.

Last week, the Public Health Agency of Canada bought 500,000 doses of the vaccine that guards against the virus, which is also known as bird flu and formally as H5N1.

"This is a great step, and it speaks to preparedness," said Dr. Jason Stull, the chief of infection control at the Atlantic Veterinary College, based at UPEI in Charlottetown. 

"We're taking this seriously, we're doing what we need to do so that we're in the best position so that should this virus change in a way that impacts us greater… that we can absolutely respond to it, so I think that that's the right next step to do." 

The Public Health Agency of Canada purchased 500,000 doses of the vaccine Arepanrix H5N1 from drug maker GSK to protect against the virus for those most at risk of exposure. That includes veterinarians and others who work closely with infected animals.

Sixty per cent of the doses will be distributed to provinces and territories "in the coming weeks," the agency said on Feb. 19, while the remainder will be stockpiled "for national preparedness." 

P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office will determine who will be able to get the vaccine in this province. The agency said in a statement to CBC News that the National Advisory Committee on Immunization "has not recommended a broad deployment" of the vaccine. 

"Although P.E.I. has detected sporadic cases of H5N1 in wildlife over the last two years, at this time, P.E.I. has not had any H5N1 outbreaks in domestic agricultural production or human cases of H5N1," reads the statement.

"P.E.I. will have access to H5N1 vaccine at any time for farm workers in the case of infected animals or if there is a need to provide prophylaxis to humans to prevent spread."

Risk to humans low

Stull said the biggest worry with bird flu on the Island is its potential to infect animals like wild birds and domestic poultry. 

The virus does have the potential to spread to humans if it enters our milk supply through dairy cattle that contract the flu through contact with infected animals. 

However, Stull said the risk of that is very low right now, so people shouldn't be afraid. He did say that Islanders and their pets should stay away from wildlife, particularly if it's dead, and domestic poultry.

WATCH | 2nd avian flu strain found in U.S. dairy cows:

Canadian farmers on alert as 2nd bird flu strain found in U.S. cattle

18 days ago

Duration 2:04

Canadian dairy farmers are ramping up surveillance after a second strain of avian flu was found in cattle in the United States, where the virus has prompted a reduction in milk production. No cases have been reported in Canadian cows so far.

"We've seen a variety of things happening in the United States. Over the past year, we've seen the virus move into dairy cattle, which previously we haven't seen," Stull said. "So part of it is really staying proactive and then taking the steps… to try and protect ourselves." 

Teen patient has recovered

Canada reported its first domestically acquired human case of avian influenza last November when a teenaged patient in B.C. was placed on life support. The teen needed significant respiratory support, doctors said, then began to improve and was discharged from hospital on Jan. 7.

An American patient, who was over the age of 65 and had underlying health conditions, died in Louisiana last month. 

To date, Canadian health officials say there has been no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread of the virus in any cases found in the world.

In a statement to CBC News, Egg Farmers of P.E.I. said poultry farmers already adhere to biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and prevent the spread of disease, including controlling access to farms and cleaning and disinfection protocols. 

"Egg Farmers of P.E.I. wishes to reassure Islanders that the general public is not at risk of contracting avian influenza," the statement reads.

"Our farmers are fully prepared to manage any potential outbreak should one occur. We have robust plans in place to respond quickly and effectively, ensuring the health and safety of our flocks, farmers, their families, and the public."