As a deadly strain of avian flu continues to show up in more barns across the country, it's believed 700 thousand birds have now either died or been destroyed.
The H5N1 strain has now been found in at least 7 provinces, including 8 different locations across Alberta. The disease was also confirmed recently in two locations in Saskatchewan and also a barn in southern BC. While most forms of the virus are mild in nature, the H5N1 strain can cause severe illness and death in birds. It can also spread to humans, but so far only one case has been reported, a man in the US and his symptoms were mild. Jean-Michel Laurin is the president of the Canadian Poultry and egg processors council. He calls the situation grave. Lisa Bishop Spencer with the Chicken Farmers of Canada says what's different about this strain, is that it's killing wild birds as well as domestic
Poultry producers across the nation are stepping up their bio-security measures. At some farms, only the owner is allowed inside the barns and additional efforts are being taken to keep wild birds away from where domestic birds are feeding. It also means that poultry farms that at one time were welcoming visitors, are now closed...at least for now. Agriculture Canada is making adjustments to make sure there is a steady supply of eggs and poultry for Canadian consumers during this current outbreak.
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