A recent outbreak of avian flu has been reported in seven different areas throughout the Fraser Valley in British Columbia, with six new cases emerging in just the past few days. Local farmers are taking extensive measures to safeguard their poultry from the disease.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has verified that seven commercial poultry farms in Abbotsford and Chilliwack have been affected by a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza. Mark Siemens, an egg farmer in the Fraser Valley, highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by avian flu in the region.
According to Siemens, the battle to protect birds from the disease has become an annual struggle for farmers. As a precautionary measure, all commercial farms in the province are currently under strict biosecurity protocols. These measures include keeping birds indoors, closing farm gates, disinfecting all incoming vehicles, and ensuring that all workers change clothes and wear protective gear.
Siemens, who previously dealt with an avian flu outbreak on his farm, described the emotional toll of having to cull all exposed birds. Shawn Hall, the spokesperson for the B.C. Poultry Association, explained that avian influenza is mainly transmitted by migrating waterfowl such as ducks and geese, which pass through the region on their seasonal migration.
While acknowledging the challenges, Hall reassured the public that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk. He emphasized that the poultry products available in stores are safe to consume due to stringent food safety regulations in Canada. Hall also mentioned ongoing research projects, such as studying air filtration in barns, to enhance preventive measures against avian flu.
Both Hall and Siemens noted an increase in the risk of avian flu since the previous year. The CFIA reported that approximately 8.8 million birds in British Columbia have either perished or been culled due to the highly pathogenic avian flu subtype, accounting for more than half of the total affected birds in Canada.
