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The highly contagious strain of bird flu has already been found in seven flocks in BC
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May 12, 2022 • 13 minutes ago • 3 minutes ago reading • Join the conversation File photo: he BC SPCA asks people to temporarily remove their bird feeders and empty bird baths to try to reduce the transmission of influenza by the birds. Photo by Jesse McFarland / BC SPCA / Photo sent
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A small flock of poultry in the Comox Valley has tested positive for bird flu, the first on Vancouver Island and the seventh to be found in a flock in the province.
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the contaminated site has been quarantined.
A previous outbreak in 2004 in the Fraser Valley killed about 17 million birds.
Here are five things you need to know about the last hearth:
Where was the virus found in BC?
The CFIA confirmed the presence of highly infected H5N1 in the following locations in British Columbia:
• April 13 – North Okanagan Regional District (bird flock) • April 25 – Kelowna (small flock) • April 27 – Central Kutenai (small flock) regional district • May 3 – Richmond (small flock) • May 3 – Town Kelowna (small herd) • May 4 – Central Okanagan Regional District (small herd) • May 11 – Comox Valley Regional District (small herd)
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Wild birds have also tested positive for H5 strains of avian influenza in or near 100 Mile House, Bowen Island, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Metro Vancouver, Vanderhoof and Williams Lake, according to the British Columbia government.
How serious is this outbreak and can we expect to see it in more herds?
Experts say the H5N1 strain is highly contagious and is spreading in North America, possibly through migratory wild birds. Outbreaks of the same strain have been found in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
BC has extended its order for all poultry traders with more than 100 birds to move their flocks indoors by 13 June.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency expects more cases and says that so far about 1.7 million birds have been euthanized or killed by the virus in Canada, mainly in Alberta and Ontario.
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No infections have been found in humans, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says there is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs can transmit the virus to humans.
Should people feed wild birds?
Not now.
The BC SPCA calls on people with backyard bird feeders to remove them temporarily to reduce the risk of transmitting the highly contagious virus.
The virus is thought to be spread by infected wild birds that migrate north during the summer and are excreted in feces and respiratory secretions that can remain in the environment for months.
Dr Andrea Wallace, the SPCA’s wildlife welfare manager, said bird feeders and bird baths could increase the risk of bird flu spreading to backyard poultry.
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The organization is asking people to temporarily remove their feeders, empty the water baths and monitor their surroundings for signs of sick birds. Symptoms may include lethargy, nasal secretions, excessive tearing of the eyes, swelling of the head and eyelids, and an unusually “swollen” appearance.
Can my other pets catch the virus?
This strain of bird flu has been found in chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl and wild birds and pets, according to the CFIA. It has been found in mammalian species, including humans, rats and mice, weasels and ferrets, pigs, cats and dogs.
However, the number of documented cases of AI H5N1 in non-bird species is very low, despite the fact that the virus has caused major bird epidemics worldwide in the last few years, the CFIA said.
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The agency emphasizes that the chance of someone getting infected with bird flu from a pet is extremely small.
What should I do if I suspect that the birds are sick?
Bird owners are legally responsible for notifying the authorities of serious bird diseases, such as bird flu. Do not remove sick birds from the property.
Call your veterinarian or the nearest Animal Health Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for help or to report any unexplained poultry disease or mortality.
Some or all of the following clinical signs of infected birds are:
• Decreased egg production, many with or without soft shells • Diarrhea • Bleeding in the hocks • High and sudden mortality • Calmness and extreme depression • Swelling of the skin under the eyes • Locks and combs appear swollen and clogged
If you notice a sick or dead wild bird, call the Wild Bird Mortality Investigation Hotline at 1-866-431-2473.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
– with files from The Canadian Press
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