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乌鸦传媒檛 required to be reported to the CFIA and thus far Vancouver Island has managed to avoid the highly transmissible strain.

乌鸦传媒淔ingers crossed it stays that way,乌鸦传媒� she said. 乌鸦传媒淚 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 乌鸦传媒� inside the barn, inside the coop 乌鸦传媒� because the disease is spread by migratory birds. If there乌鸦传媒檚 no direct contact between your birds and migratory birds, there乌鸦传媒檚 less chance your birds are going to get sick.乌鸦传媒�

Along with being spread by migratory birds, the illness can also be spread via fecal matter, which is why it乌鸦传媒檚 important for flock owners to make sure to their footwear is clean before and after caring for their birds.

If precautions aren乌鸦传媒檛 taken, birds may show symptoms.

乌鸦传媒淔or egg laying birds, you乌鸦传媒檒l see drop in egg production. And any bird will eat and drink less, like we do when we乌鸦传媒檙e not feeling well. And the birds may show odd behaviour, and any bird owner is going to be able to identity what乌鸦传媒檚 odd for their flock,乌鸦传媒� 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乌鸦传媒檛 impacted B.C.乌鸦传媒檚 poultry supplies.

乌鸦传媒淎t this point we乌鸦传媒檙e not concerned with any issues with the supply of chicken, turkey or eggs,乌鸦传媒� Brittain noted. 乌鸦传媒淲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.乌鸦传媒�

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 乌鸦传媒渟trongly recommends乌鸦传媒� 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 乌鸦传媒渆nhanced prevention and preparedness measures are being taken to protect poultry flocks in B.C.乌鸦传媒�

乌鸦传媒淎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,乌鸦传媒� said Popham乌鸦传媒檚 statement. 乌鸦传媒淭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.乌鸦传媒�

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sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com
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