Avian influenza was to blame for the death of a backyard flock of chickens in the Cowichan Valley but it was a low-pathogenic strain, not the dangerous and highly pathogenic one the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is closely tracking.

Amanda Brittain, spokesperson for the BC Poultry Association said the strain of the illness the Cowichan birds had isn害羞草研究所檛 required to be reported to the CFIA and thus far Vancouver Island has managed to avoid the highly transmissible strain.

害羞草研究所淔ingers crossed it stays that way,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚 know a lot of people on Vancouver Island have small flocks and backyard flocks and the best thing they can do is to keep their birds inside 害羞草研究所� inside the barn, inside the coop 害羞草研究所� because the disease is spread by migratory birds. If there害羞草研究所檚 no direct contact between your birds and migratory birds, there害羞草研究所檚 less chance your birds are going to get sick.害羞草研究所�

Along with being spread by migratory birds, the illness can also be spread via fecal matter, which is why it害羞草研究所檚 important for flock owners to make sure to their footwear is clean before and after caring for their birds.

If precautions aren害羞草研究所檛 taken, birds may show symptoms.

害羞草研究所淔or egg laying birds, you害羞草研究所檒l see drop in egg production. And any bird will eat and drink less, like we do when we害羞草研究所檙e not feeling well. And the birds may show odd behaviour, and any bird owner is going to be able to identity what害羞草研究所檚 odd for their flock,害羞草研究所� Brittain explained.

Those who suspect their birds have avian influenza are to contact their veterinarian or their nearest CFIA animal health office.

Despite what appears to be a growing concern across the country, it hasn害羞草研究所檛 impacted B.C.害羞草研究所檚 poultry supplies.

害羞草研究所淎t this point we害羞草研究所檙e not concerned with any issues with the supply of chicken, turkey or eggs,害羞草研究所� Brittain noted. 害羞草研究所淲e have put programs in place to prepare us to produce more eggs if necessary and we can always import products from other provinces if it comes down to it.害羞草研究所�

Currently, the CFIA lists 35 cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza strain on its investigations list, impacting 717,1000 birds across the country. That includes two cases in B.C.: a small flock in the City of Kelowna and a commercial farm in the North Okanagan Regional District.

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The CFIA 害羞草研究所渟trongly recommends害羞草研究所� preventing contact between flocks and wild birds, and not sharing live birds, eggs, or other bird products with neighbours friends or family.

On April 20, in response to a confirmed outbreak of avian influenza at an Okanagan farm, Minister of Agriculture and Food Lana Popham said 害羞草研究所渆nhanced prevention and preparedness measures are being taken to protect poultry flocks in B.C.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淎ll poultry producers, including backyard poultry owners, are advised to increase their biosecurity practices and to be vigilant and monitor for signs of avian influenza in their flocks,害羞草研究所� said Popham害羞草研究所檚 statement. 害羞草研究所淭o further protect farmers and prevent the spread of avian influenza in B.C., the deputy chief veterinarian has issued an order requiring all commercial poultry flocks in the province with more than 100 birds to be moved indoors until the spring migration ends in May.害羞草研究所�

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sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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