The H1N1 vaccine could be available here by the end of this week, according to the Medical Officer of Health.
Dr. Nicola Mercer was speaking after a press conference in Toronto announcing a flock of turkeys had been found in Ontario to have contacted the H1N1 virus. The Advertiser has learned the affected company is Hybrid Turkeys, located near Kitchener.
In a teleconference, Ontario’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Deb Stark said, “This essentially human virus has been identified previously in swine and poultry. Our working hypothesis is that this situation likely involved human-to-bird transmission.”
They would not identify the location of the farm. Stark and the province’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Arlene King said the owner voluntarily quarantined the breeding birds, which are not sold for meat.
“We have a very willing individual who has come forward and is willing to do what we ask him to do,” Stark said.
Public health units are contacting those who may have had contact with the flock.
All health officials reiterated the best way to ensure there is no cross contamination between animals and humans is for people to get the H1N1 flu shot and the annual flu vaccination and to stay away from sick flocks and herds.
Mercer and King also stated there is no danger in eating turkey as long as it is cooked properly (over 165° Fahrenheit).
Mercer had said, “The province is trying not to identify the farm” because the owner is fully cooperating with health authorities and there was no danger to the public.
