BC poultry farmers are taking additional precautions to prevent the spread of bird flu, which is now confirmed in two flocks in the province.
The virus has already killed hundreds of thousands of birds across the country since late last year, and local industry is stepping up biosecurity measures to try to avoid the kind of devastation they have caused in the past.
Many farmers in the province are still dealing with the aftermath of last autumn’s floods, and now poultry farms face a threat that has been catastrophic for flocks in the past: a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza.
Amanda Brittan, director of communications with BC Egg and information officer at the BC Poultry Association, said their province’s biosecurity program has three levels and they have recently moved to the highest level: red.
“Concerns among poultry farmers in British Columbia are high, but they are calm,” Britain said. “We have biosecurity measures to help protect the birds and they are taking all precautions to keep these birds safe and healthy.”
As of April 25, cases of the H5N1 virus have been detected in two places: a commercial flock of poultry in North Okanagan and, more recently, a flock in the backyard in Kelowna. Two bald eagles in the Vancouver Metro have also tested positive in recent months.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said the last flock with a positive sample was quarantined and the birds would be euthanized.
“The number one way in which bird flu is transmitted is through wild birds when they migrate,” Brittany said. “Everyone is working together to try to prevent him from entering barns.”
Environment Canada researcher Jennifer Provencher said the strain has been circulating in Canada for several months and longer in Europe.
“In general, avian influenza is transmitted through fecal and oral secretions,” she said. “Where birds can gather on the ground, they can settle in the soil under the right conditions.
Provencher said that although human health concerns are lower with this strain, the risk to birds appears to be increased.
“It actually has a wider effect on more species,” she said. “We are seeing higher mortality rates in some species.”
Ron McGivern and his family have chickens on their farm west of Kamloops, and are also running a chicken rental program where people can experience having chickens in the backyard in a mobile pen for about six months before returning.
“I’m worried that people will lose the opportunity to have this experience because of it,” he said, adding that they were deeply concerned about the spread of bird flu. “We really had to strengthen some of the protocols we already had.”
McGivern said he advised people to keep their chickens in a mobile pen at the time to keep them safe and away from standing water where migratory birds can congregate.
He said they also recommend using a pair of special shoes to visit and feed the chickens, and not let others in next to the birds if they have their own poultry at home.
“We are monitoring the experts on this issue,” he said. “What the experts say is that the risk to the public is very low, but, of course, you still have to be extremely vigilant.
Many improved protocols followed by the industry as a whole aim to help poultry avoid contact with wild birds, including avoiding accidental surveillance of the virus on a farm.
These measures include requiring the BC’s deputy chief veterinarian to keep flocks of more than 100 birds inside by the end of May, changing shoes and clothes when entering barns and restricting access to poultry farms.
All poultry owners are asked to monitor changes in the health of their birds.
“If you notice a drop in water consumption, a drop in egg production or if the birds are behaving strangely,” Brittany said. “Call your veterinarian and they can do some tests.”
Provencher also encourages people to report any discoveries of dead wild birds or wild birds that look sick to the Wild Bird Network at 1-866-431-BIRD.
She added that anyone who has bird feeders should make sure they are kept clean, and if you have poultry, consider taking these feeders inside for the sea.
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