A recent outbreak of avian flu has been identified on a small free-range poultry farm in Chilliwack, located approximately 100 kilometers east of Vancouver in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The affected farm, with around 8,000 birds, is now required to euthanize all its birds, a measure deemed humane by the B.C. Poultry Association.
Amanda Brittain from the B.C. Poultry Association emphasized the need for extra precautions among poultry farmers across the province. The H5N1 strain, primarily transmitted through contact with infected birds, their feces, or nasal secretions, was first observed in Canadian farms in late 2021 and has continued to pose challenges to the industry.
The CFIA will collaborate with the affected farm to ensure proper cleaning and compensation through insurance. The data from the agency reveals a nationwide impact, with 330 infected flocks affecting over 7 million birds as of September 28th. Notably, almost half of the culled birds since April 2022 were in B.C., where 104 flocks succumbed to the virus.
The B.C. Poultry Association had suspicions of avian flu in the province due to the discovery of dead wild birds and the anticipation of an outbreak based on the previous year’s challenges. The Chilliwack case marks the first confirmed instance of avian flu in B.C. this fall, prompting heightened vigilance among farmers statewide.
Farmers are taking additional precautions, including changing footwear and clothing before entering barns, consistent sanitization of equipment, and keeping birds indoors. With outbreaks typically aligning with bird migrations in spring and fall, the province remains on high alert, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures to contain the spread of avian influenza.
