H5N2 strain of avian flu confirmed on farm near Woodstock

Nine farms are under quarantine and 34,000 more birds will be euthanized on a farm near Woodstock, Ont. where turkeys havetested positive for the H5N2 strain ofavian flu.

• Avian flu puts 8 Ontario farms under quarantine

Tests results were revealed to media during a telephone conference with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Wednesday.

The ninth farm was also added to the quarantine list Wednesday.

"This is the precautionary step we take in terms of farm in close proximity with the potential for transmission of the virus as well as what we consider as high risk contacts with the index farm," said Paul Mayers, the vice-president, Policy and Programs at the CFIA. "We don't have any evidence of infection with respect with these additional facilities beyond the index farm, but we take this step out of an abundance of precaution in order to maximize the containment of the infection."

The CFIA still has to figure out how the virus spread to the turkey farm where it was detected Sunday.

Officials said 7,500 birds on the affected farmhavedied from the virus.

"While we have confirmed the H5N2 here, the laboratory work continues in terms of the genetic sequencing of this particular virus," said Mayers. "That information will assist us in potentially linking the specific virus causing disease on this farm with any other virus isolations either in Canada or in the United States that will assist in targeting potential sources of investigation."

Mayers said it is too early at this point to draw any conclusions about where the virus may have come from.

Since the outbreak was detected, Taiwan and Japan put trade restriction on poultry and poultry products from Ontario.