A statement from the BC Department of Agriculture states that the herd has the highly contagious H5N1 virus and has been quarantined by the Canadian Food and Drug Administration. He says the ministry is working closely with the inspection service and poultry producers to ensure that enhanced prevention and preparedness measures are implemented. The ministry says seven wild birds that died between April 20 and 27 also tested positive for H5 strains of the highly contagious disease. They include three geese and a Canadian goose in the Vanderhoof area and bald eagles near the 100 Mile House, Bowen Island and Vancouver. Bird flu is sweeping North America, and BC confirmed the first case of a farm in North Okanagan earlier this month, followed by an outbreak in a small flock of poultry in Kelowna earlier this week. Avian flu cases have been confirmed in many other provinces, but no human infections have been detected. The inspection service said the disease is not considered a major concern for healthy people who do not come into regular contact with infected birds. The agency said it expects more cases as wild birds continue to migrate north for the summer. BC has instructed all commercial poultry farmers with more than 100 birds to move their flocks indoors by the end of the spring migration in May. Those with small flocks are advised to look out for signs of disease in their birds, to eliminate the possibility of contact with wild birds and to intensify the disinfection of all clothing and equipment used when caring for their animals. This Canadian Press report was first published on April 29, 2022. SHARE:
