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含羞草研究社檛 required to be reported to the CFIA and thus far Vancouver Island has managed to avoid the highly transmissible strain.

含羞草研究社淔ingers crossed it stays that way,含羞草研究社� she said. 含羞草研究社淚 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 含羞草研究社� inside the barn, inside the coop 含羞草研究社� because the disease is spread by migratory birds. If there含羞草研究社檚 no direct contact between your birds and migratory birds, there含羞草研究社檚 less chance your birds are going to get sick.含羞草研究社�

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

If precautions aren含羞草研究社檛 taken, birds may show symptoms.

含羞草研究社淔or egg laying birds, you含羞草研究社檒l see drop in egg production. And any bird will eat and drink less, like we do when we含羞草研究社檙e not feeling well. And the birds may show odd behaviour, and any bird owner is going to be able to identity what含羞草研究社檚 odd for their flock,含羞草研究社� 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含羞草研究社檛 impacted B.C.含羞草研究社檚 poultry supplies.

含羞草研究社淎t this point we含羞草研究社檙e not concerned with any issues with the supply of chicken, turkey or eggs,含羞草研究社� Brittain noted. 含羞草研究社淲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.含羞草研究社�

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 含羞草研究社渟trongly recommends含羞草研究社� 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 含羞草研究社渆nhanced prevention and preparedness measures are being taken to protect poultry flocks in B.C.含羞草研究社�

含羞草研究社淎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,含羞草研究社� said Popham含羞草研究社檚 statement. 含羞草研究社淭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.含羞草研究社�

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sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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