First case of avian flu on a farm in Fraser Valley confirmed

A new case of avian flu has been identified on a commercial poultry farm in Abbotsford.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the positive result of the H5N1 virus, the first case on a farm in the Fraser Valley.

B.C.’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food says “the infected premises has been placed under quarantine by the CFIA,” and that it “has notified producers within a 10-kilometre radius about the positive test results.”

Despite the danger the virus poses to avian species, the industry insists 8its chicken and eggs are still safe to eat.

Ray Nickel, a poultry farmer in Abbotsford and a member of the BC Poultry Emergency Operation Centre, said there are several steps in place to ensure food safety.

“B.C. has a very strict bio-security program in place and right now we’re eliminating visitors and even service people that would possibly be scheduled to try and reschedule that. Anyone that would be going inside the barn is pretty much prevented right now from doing that and then when you do go in and out of the barn, protocols are obviously changing footgear, coveralls and washing hands to ensure you’re not bringing in anything with you.”

Nickel added that despite the safety of their food, farmers are concerned about how avian flu will affect their livelihood.

“Farmers are nervous. None of us want to go through that experience and it does create some concern about our livelihood and the unknown is always a scary thing no matter what business you’re in,” said Nickel.

Related links:

• B.C. eggs, chicken safe to eat, says industry, as avian flu spreads

• ‘Unless you are a bird, you shouldn’t worry’: Avian flu worries unwarranted, vet association head

• Avian flu cases ‘piling up’ in Washington state, B.C. confirms another case

Dr. Louis Kwantes, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, explained that while the virus is deadly for birds, mammals are a different story.

“I want to emphasize that this is not a disease of non-avian species,” said Kwantes. “This is not something that we need to panic about. This is not an impending disaster.

“Unless you are a bird, you shouldn’t worry about it.”

Kwantes explained the ways the virus can be spread, including returning migratory birds.

“The virus can be spread, not just through direct contact, but also through contaminated things like for example, bird feces. That’s why migrating birds tend to be to spread it in the course of their migration.”

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, there are rare occasions the virus can transmit to mammals and defined the avian flu as a “contagious viral infection that can affect several species of food-producing birds as well as pet birds and wild birds.”

With files from Sonia Aslam