While most forms of bird flu are mild, H5N1 can cause serious illness and death in birds.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada says there are many factors that increase the price of food, so it’s hard to find a direct link between high costs for eggs and poultry and the virus, but the agency is keeping a close eye.
“Poultry and egg production in Canada is supply-driven and there are mechanisms that modeling boards can deploy to give them the flexibility to adapt to the kind of disruption we’re talking about right now,” said Donald Boucher, CEO of sectoral development. with Agri-Food Canada.
“We know that some of these measures have also been implemented in the context of the current epidemic (bird flu).
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency believes that migratory birds are responsible for the 25 outbreaks in Canada and expects more cases as flocks continue to fly north during the summer. So far, there is no evidence of farm-to-farm transmission.
“I think in recent memories this is one of the largest cases of avian influenza in many provinces and the first time we have H5N1,” said Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, chief veterinarian.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has set up control zones in areas with active outbreaks in Ontario and Alberta to quarantine infected animals and restrict the movement of goods and livestock in and outside the affected areas.
It is a stressful experience for farmers and small herd owners, Ireland said, especially because of the impact on their livelihoods.
She said the agency was preparing to respond to further findings in anticipation of further outbreaks.
No human cases have been reported in Canada, and avian influenza is not a significant public health concern for healthy people who are not in regular contact with infected birds.
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