An outbreak of avian flu has been identified in at least seven locations within British Columbia’s Fraser Valley this month. Six new cases have emerged since Thursday, affecting seven commercial poultry farms in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, as confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Local farmers in the region are diligently working to safeguard their flocks against the highly pathogenic avian influenza. Mark Siemens, an egg farmer in the Fraser Valley, expressed the growing concern over avian flu, describing it as a recurring challenge for farmers striving to ensure the well-being of their birds.
Amid the outbreak, all commercial farms in the province have implemented stringent biosecurity measures. These measures include confining birds to barns, closing farm gates, disinfecting all incoming vehicles, and mandating all workers to change clothing and wear personal protective gear to prevent the spread of the disease.
Having experienced an avian flu outbreak last year, Siemens emphasized the emotional toll on farmers when having to cull all exposed birds on a farm, calling it a traumatic experience. Shawn Hall, a spokesperson for the B.C. Poultry Association, noted that avian influenza is primarily transmitted by migrating waterfowl, such as ducks, geese, and swans, which pass through B.C. during their migration.
Hall highlighted ongoing research projects, including one studying air filtration in barns, to enhance existing biosecurity measures. He reassured consumers that avian flu does not pose a food safety risk, emphasizing Canada’s stringent food safety regulations.
Both Hall and Siemens underscored the heightened risk of avian flu since 2022. The CFIA reported that approximately 8.8 million birds in British Columbia have succumbed to or been culled due to the highly pathogenic avian flu subtype, accounting for more than half of the affected birds in Canada.