The first case of highly infected H5N1 bird flu on Vancouver Island has been confirmed, the Ministry of Agriculture of the British Republic announced.
The province says the case was found in a small flock of poultry in the Comox Valley, which is now under quarantine.
Farms within a 12-kilometer radius of the property have been notified, according to the province.
Although Wednesday’s announcement is the first case of bird flu to be confirmed on Vancouver Island, it marks the seventh confirmed case of small flocks or backyard herds in British Columbia
The first cases were confirmed at a poultry store in the North Okanagan regional district in mid-April, according to the province.
SAFETY STEPS
The province encourages all chicken and backyard chicken owners to be careful as bird flu spreads across Canada.
The Ministry of Agriculture of the British Republic believes that many of the cases in the province have spread to domestic chickens from wild birds.
Since then, the BC SPCA has asked residents to remove their bird feeders and baths to help curb the spread of the disease in wild birds.
“Sick birds may appear lethargic, unusually” swollen, “have nasal secretions, or have excessive tearing of the eyes or swelling of the head and eyelids,” the SPCA said in a May 5 statement.
The province encourages chicken owners to reduce or eliminate potential contact between chickens and wild birds. People should also limit the time they spend with chickens and thoroughly clean and disinfect any clothing – including shoes – that is used in areas where flocks are housed.
The order, which requires commercial poultry farmers with at least 100 birds to keep them indoors, has also been extended until June 13th.
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