A total of nine farms have now been affected by avian influenza H5N2 in British Columbia, Canada, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The Fraser Valley farms are close to the farm where the outbreak began. This particular strain of the bird flu virus is highly pathogenic and very contagious.
The province of British Columbia has notified the CFIA of another farm where the illness is suspected; this outbreak was confirmed and is the ninth infected farm. The government is tracing movement in and out of these sites. Birds have been humanely euthanized on four farms, and depopulation activities began this week on the fifth farm. Almost 200,000 birds have been euthanized.
The CFIA is urging poultry farmers to take an “active role” in protecting their flocks by using strict biosecurity measures on their property. Eight countries have placed import restrictions on British Columbia poultry and poultry products, including United States, Mexico, South Africa, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The flu only affects people who are in close contact with live poultry. Raw poultry products are not a health risk to human beings as long as they are properly handled and thoroughly cooked to at least 165°F as measured by a food thermometer. When preparing raw poultry, always avoid cross-contamination and clean all areas that come into contact with the raw meat with a mild bleach solution.
H5N2 has now been confirmed in Langley
The H5 in Fraser Valley H5N2 is Fujian