Disclosure of results
Results are sent to the client. Results will only be sent to third parties, e.g., insurance agents, on the written request of the client.
All suspected reportable or immediately notifiable diseases are reported to the CFIA, OMAFRA, and MOH, as appropriate. Specimens are forwarded to CFIA for confirmatory testing, if applicable.
Testing of food-producing animal samples is financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), for the purposes of provincial disease surveillance and support of market access and trade. As part of the subsidized services provided by the AHL, clients agree to share the data from test results with appropriate government agencies. As stated on AHL submission forms:
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“Important. Please read. Contact information must be supplied with all samples submitted for testing to the Animal Health Lab (“AHL”). Agricultural animal testing carried out through the AHL is subsidized by the Government of Ontario. By submitting samples for testing to AHL, the submitter acknowledges that s/he is the owner or is a duly authorized agent of the owner. The submitter acknowledges and agrees that AHL may share test results and contact information as it deems necessary for the purposes of relevant legislation regarding reportable or notifiable diseases and for the purpose of surveillance of animal or public health in Ontario.” |
Demographics are essential for livestock and poultry surveillance
AHL test results are released to OMAFRA on all AHL agricultural testing in return for financial support. OMAFRA requires these results for the purpose of disease surveillance in Ontario. When clients submit samples on AHL submission forms, they are providing us with the consent to release results to OMAFRA.
CERTAIN FIELDS ARE MANDATORY ON THE SUBMISSION FORM:
Veterinarian: clinic and veterinarian name(s)
Owner: unique owner ID, premises ID, or postal code, municipality and/or location of the farm
Demographics: species, breed, age, sex, weight, animal identification, herd size, number at risk, sick, dead, and duration of problem, body systems affected.
Livestock and poultry disease surveillance also contributes to supporting public health.
As of January 1, 2019, all veterinarians and directors of laboratories must report known and suspected cases of avian influenza, novel influenza and Echinococcus multilocularis infections in animals to their local public health unit. Veterinary reporting requirements for all mammal bites, as well as all cases of avian chlamydiosis also remain in place.
Premises identification (PID)
Premises identification (PID) is vital to allowing traceability of animals throughout the agri-food chain, is a foundation of various Canadian animal identification programs, and is becoming mandatory in more circumstances, e.g., https://www.ontariopid.com/en-CA/
“As of July 1, 2014 all movements of swine need to be reported to PigTrace Canada.” “Registering with the Ontario Provincial Premises Registry (PPR) to get a premises ID (PID) is easy, free and voluntary.”
PIDs have been used, and proved useful, in various recent disease situations, e.g., tracking PED (porcine epidemic diarrhea) cases, and in ongoing swine ARC&E (Area Regional Control and Elimination) programs for PRRSV and PEDV.
Use of PIDs is mandatory in OAHN projects.
We strongly encourage entering PIDs on all AHL submissions.
