Sessions help Cowichan, Comox, Salt Spring poultry owners prevent avian flu

The Department of Agriculture and Food is hosting three information sessions for small flock poultry owners on Salt Spring Island and in the Cowichan and Comox Valleys from October 12-14.

Sessions will focus on the avian flu virus, how to protect your flocks and how to prepare for the potential impact if your birds become ill.

Sessions are chaired by BC government veterinary specialists. Participants will learn the following:

• Improving herd or farm biosecurity to prevent disease outbreaks;
• recognizing the signs of avian influenza and reporting cases;
• how foreign animal health regulations affect small poultry;
• what to expect if a flock is positive for avian influenza; and
• resources available to non-commercial bird keepers, including diagnostic services through the BC Animal Health Centre.

Participants will receive a free biosecurity kit with tools and information to maintain good biosecurity practices.

Although the session is free to attend, seating is limited and registration is mandatory. Register online:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/bc-ministry-of-agriculture-and-food-52507526703

The meetings take place on:

• Glenora Community Hall, 3660 Glenora Rd., Duncan, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, October 12
• Merville Hall, 1245 Fenwick Rd., Merville, Thursday, October 13, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m
• Lions Club of Salt Spring Island, 103 Bonnet Ave., Salt Spring Island, Friday, October 14, 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

The risk of avian influenza to commercial poultry farms and small flocks increases each spring and fall as waterfowl and other birds migrate into and through British Columbia.

Fast Facts:

• Avian influenza is a federally regulated disease and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is leading the investigation and response with provincial support for testing, mapping, surveillance and disposal.
• Wild birds have tested positive for H5 strains of avian flu in several regions of the province.
• The Wild Bird Mortality Investigation Program Hotline, 1.866.431-2473, accepts public reports of dead wild birds.
• Since mid-April, the CFIA has confirmed 22 cases of avian flu in commercial and small flock poultry in communities across BC. This is an extension of an ongoing North American outbreak.

Learn more:

Information from the CFIA on the current status of bird flu in Canada:
https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/response-to-detections-of-highly-pathogenic-avian-/eng/1640207916497/1640207916934

CFIA factsheet on avian flu:
https://inspection.canada.ca/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/fact-sheet/eng/1356193731667/1356193918453#a2

Information from the Department of Agriculture and Food on avian influenza, including what to look out for, resources for small flock owners, orders from the Deputy Chief Veterinarian and information on testing
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/animal-health/reportable-notifiable-diseases/avian-influenza-ai