Canadian farmers fight bird flu as bird deaths reach 1.7 million

Canadian poultry and egg producers have already lost more than 1.7 million poultry from a highly contagious strain of avian influenza.

The latest figures came from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which said the numbers included both birds that died from the virus and birds that were humanely euthanized to prevent the disease from spreading.

Alberta is the worst affected province with 900,000 dead birds and 23 affected farms.

Ontario is the second worst affected with 23 farms affected and 425,000 birds killed.

The strain of avian influenza, which currently affects chicken and turkey producers throughout North America, can be easily spread by both wild and domestic birds.

Farmers are encouraged to keep birds indoors, restrict visitors and strengthen biosecurity measures to help stem the spread.