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November 08, 2023 - 12:00 PM
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed several BC poultry farms, including one in the Thompson-Okanagan, have been infected by avian influenza.
Commercial poultry farms in the Fraser Valley as well as two small flocks in Merritt and Port McNeill have tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza, according to a release. Since Oct. 20, 2023, 16 cases of the influenza have been confirmed.
The BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food is collaborating with the agency and poultry farmers to ensure they limit the spread of the disease and protect the animals.
If they encounter dead birds, people are asked to leave them and report them to the BC’s wild bird surveillance hotline at 1-866-431-2473.
According to the release, the province has also introduced a $5 million Farmed Animal Disease Program to help producers prepare for the risk of such animal diseases and give them proper resources to do so.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2023