Avian influenza affecting 52 flocks in B.C., one in the North Okanagan

Millions of birds in B.C. are ill due to outbreaks of avian influenza.

The B.C. government said there were 52 outbreaks across B.C. as of Thursday, Dec. 14, which the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said was affecting an estimated 5,961,000 birds.

The CFIA said there was one outbreak in a non-commercial poultry flock the Regional District of North Okanagan as of Dec. 14, though it did not provide specific details as to where the infected birds were located. A primary control zone had also not been determined.

The CFIA stated there was also an outbreak in the Regional District of Central Okanagan, one in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and one in Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, but the rest were located either in the Fraser Valley or surrounding areas such as Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Langley.

Of the 52 outbreaks, 47 involved commercial operations.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food said work was underway in partnership with the CFIA and B.C. poultry producers to contain the disease and reduce the spread to other flocks. These efforts included quarantine, depopulation and disposal of the infected birds.

Poultry owners who suspect their birds may have avian influenza are encouraged to call their veterinarian, their nearest CFIA animal health office, or the B.C. Animal Health Centre at 1-800-661-9903.

Anyone who finds a sick or injured wild bird should leave it where it is and report it to the wild bird surveillance hotline at 1-866-431-2473 (BIRD).