Since October, more than 50 poultry farms in British Columbia have battled avian flu The Canadian Food Inspection Agency's recent update revealed infections in 47 commercial farms.
The Agriculture Ministry in BC promptly joined forces with the CFIA and local poultry producers to reinforce biosecurity measures. The collaborative effort aims to contain the spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus and safeguard the health of these smaller flocks.
In cases where the flu is detected within a flock, the stringent protocol requires the culling of all birds on the affected farm. Unfortunately, since April 2022, about five million birds across BC have been culled due to the H5N1 virus, affecting both large and small poultry farms.
The concerning situation, reassurance comes from the Ministry, stating that the avian flu poses a low risk to public health and assures no compromise in food safety standards. Currently, there have been no disruptions in the poultry food supply chain attributed to the virus outbreak.
The BC government launched a $5-million farmed animal disease program. This initiative aims to equip farmers, including those with small flocks, with the necessary resources, research, and training to bolster biosecurity measures and prevent the infiltration of the flu into their barns.
The collaborative efforts between authorities, industry stakeholders, and these smaller-scale farmers are crucial in curbing the outbreak's impact and ensuring the resilience of BC's poultry industry.