Coughing, sneezing, runny beaks and diarrhea are signs a flock is sick, and avian influenza is likely the cause. When signs are present, producers can have samples from the flock sent to the provincial laboratory for testing to confirm that bird flu is responsible and to determine whether it is a high-pathogenic or low-pathogenic variety. […] Read more
Tag Archives avian flu
Avian flu lands in B.C.
British Columbia poultry producers face renewed challenges with avian influenza as the highly pathogenic virus has again swooped into the province. Eight poultry farms have been confirmed to have outbreaks of the virus, according to a Nov. 8 release from the B.C. agriculture ministry, bringing the total to 14 commercial operations affected since Oct. 20. […] Read more
New avian flu cases may be linked to fall bird migration
Wildlife organizations, domestic commercial operations have been working to refine already tight biosecurity measures
After months in which only a few cases of avian influenza have been reported in Western Canada, the highly infectious strain of the virus has made a limited return. The end of October has seen four commercial poultry operations with positive cases of avian influenza in British Columbia. Alberta has dealt with five since the […] Read more
Avian flu found on Alta. farms
After going nearly 10 months without any cases of avian influenza outbreaks on commercial poultry operations in Alberta, the province has seen four farms affected since mid-September and one in Maple Creek, Sask. Despite the small but sharp increase in affected operations, the situation is a far cry from that faced by poultry producers in […] Read more
Avian flu quiet but still present
Poultry producers are cautiously optimistic that the worst of the avian influenza outbreak, which wreaked havoc in Western Canada last year, might be over following a quiet spring. However, while there were few cases on the Prairies, a single instance in Warner County at a commercial operation in southern Alberta, another case in a non-commercial […] Read more
U.S. poultry bans continue
CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — U.S. poultry producers say they face prolonged economic pain from avian flu despite going months without infections in flocks as China and some smaller importers fail to lift trade bans implemented during the nation’s worst-ever outbreak of the virus. The lingering bans, imposed last year to prevent the spread of the […] Read more
Avian flu risk continues despite lull, researchers warn
Poultry farms in Western Canada saw few cases of the disease this spring, but the reasons continue to remain unclear
It was a quiet spring for avian influenza outbreaks at commercial poultry operations in Western Canada. Only two commercial operations, one each in Alberta and British Columbia, have reported infections, compared with the dozens hit in 2022 in both provinces. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have seen no cases so far this year. Last year, a highly […] Read more
Few avian flu cases found in Western Canada
Industry says recent case in an area dense with commercial operations shows the importance of increased vigilance
Two cases have been reported in Western Canada at the end of the first week of May, only one of which has impacted a commercial poultry operation in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley.
Agriculture committee begins hearings on biosecurity
Members of Parliament are told that the avian influenza outbreak underscores the urgent need for plans and protocols
Government officials say Canada is prepared for potential animal disease outbreaks, even though there were delays in dealing with some cases of avian influenza. Speaking to MPs during the standing agriculture committee’s first meeting on animal biosecurity, chief veterinary officer Dr. Mary Jane Ireland said stringent safeguards are in place, including science-based import controls at […] Read more
Avian flu outbreak gets off to a slow start this spring
No cases were found on commercial poultry operations in Alberta last month.
