There is a case of avian influenza at a non-commercial poultry farm in Pitt Meadows.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reports there have been recent outbreaks of a highly pathogenic avian flu in the eastern Fraser Valley, resulting in enhanced biosecurity measures at numerous commercial poultry operations.
The outbreak in Pitt Meadows was detected on Tuesday, Nov. 4, on the same day as one at a commercial farm in the Township of Langley. There was also flu detected in Chilliwack on Wednesday.
Recently the bug was discovered at eight different commercial operations in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Langley Township, between Oct. 25 and 31.
Alberta, Quebec, and Saskatchewan have been impacted by the flu in recent days.
The location of the farms, and the number of birds affected, has not been released.
CFIA said the avian flu is not a food safety concern at this time, and there is no evidence to suggest eating cooked poultry or eggs will transmit the virus to humans.
Since 2022, CFIA has restricted the import of bird by-products from regions with active outbreaks.
Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said Fraser Valley producers have been fighting avian flu since a 2004 outbreak. As of publication, there have been about 200 avian flu outbreaks in the Fraser Valley since 2022.
The CFIA’s response to avian flu outbreaks is to humanely euthanize the entire affected flock, as well as surveillance and quarantine measures. Owners may be eligible for compensation for the loss of their flocks.
Fall is typically the time of year when the risk of avian flu is at its peak, as the virus can be spread by migratory flocks of wild birds heading south for the winter.
– With files from Adam Louis