VICTORIA –
A small flock of poultry in the Kuteney area of British Columbia has tested positive for bird flu, the third known outbreak in the province.
A statement from the British Columbia Department of Agriculture said the herd had the highly contagious H5N1 virus and had been quarantined by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
It says the ministry is working closely with the inspection agency and poultry producers to ensure that enhanced prevention and preparedness measures are in place.
The ministry says seven wild birds that died between April 20 and 27 also tested positive for H5 strains of the highly infectious disease.
These include three snow geese and a Canadian goose in the Vanderhoff area and bald eagles near the 100 Mile House, Bowen Island and Vancouver.
Bird flu is spreading in North America and British Columbia confirmed its first case on a farm in North Okanagan earlier this month, followed by an outbreak in a small flock of poultry in the backyard in Kelowna earlier this week.
Cases of bird flu have been confirmed in several other provinces, but no infections have been found in humans.
The inspection agency said the disease is not considered a significant concern for healthy people who are not in regular contact with infected birds.
The agency said it expects more cases as wild birds continue to migrate north during the summer.
BC has ordered all poultry traders with more than 100 birds to move their flocks indoors by the end of spring migration in May.
Those with small flocks are urged to watch for signs of disease in their birds, to eliminate contact with wild birds and to step up disinfection of all clothing and equipment used to care for their animals.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 29, 2022.
Add Comment