Avian flu continues to spread around the world and here in Canada.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed recent outbreaks on farms in British Columbia and Alberta.
Read more: Outbreaks of bird flu confirmed on BC and Alberta farms after a brief break in cases
In early June, outbreaks were reported in small herds on three widely separated BC farms in Peace River, Sechelt and Summerland.
On June 8, an additional commercial outbreak was reported in Langley Township, bringing the total number of infected farms in the province to 16.
It was also confirmed that two small herds of Alberta found outbreaks earlier this month. The total number of cases in the province is now 31. A commercial flock of poultry was also infected on 6 April.
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Saskatchewan saw an outbreak late last month, on May 25, in a small flock of poultry.
Ontario currently has 26 detections, with a non-poultry investigation revoked in April.
Meanwhile, in New Brunswick, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency put an end to restrictions imposed after the discovery of the bird flu virus in the province in April.
Read more: Food agency lifts restrictions imposed after discovery of bird flu in New Brunswick
But what exactly is bird flu?
Officials suspect that migratory birds are responsible for the global outbreak. According to Harris Ali, a sociology professor at York University in Toronto who investigates infectious diseases, the virus is common in seabirds and waterfowl such as geese, gulls and ducks.
The virus will often circulate among these types of birds and will usually not even be affected.
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Sometimes, however, as we are seeing now, the virus will be transmitted to other types of birds, such as chickens on farms, according to Ali. It is transmitted through the feces, mucous membranes and saliva of a bird.
“They don’t have any immune function,” he said. “They get sick very quickly and sometimes they die.”
Because birds tend to flock together, the virus is easily transmitted. This is also true on many factory farms.
“In these factory farms, where these animals are caged very close to each other, side by side in these conditions, it is very easy for the virus to jump from one animal to another.”
4:27 BC Egg and Egg Farmers Increase Security Measures to Protect Their Birds from Avian Influenza BC Egg and Egg Farmers Increase Security Measures to Protect Their Birds from Avian Influenza bird flu – May 11, 2022
Poultry farmers everywhere have been urged to maintain strict infection control measures and to keep their herds separate from wild birds.
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In cases of outbreaks like the one Canada is currently seeing, even seabirds can get sick, Ali added.
The Canadian government has confirmed that bird flu is not a food security issue. People with birds have been urged to clean their chicken coops, drinking troughs and dining rooms frequently, along with their own clothes and boots. They also say to limit exposure to visitors.
Can humans also get the virus?
Although rare, humans can sometimes also catch bird flu.
The flu can be transmitted from bird to human, but it does not happen often, according to Ali.
Nikki Pike has several signs on her door advising visitors to take precautions against the spread of bird flu to her hen in the yard. Courtesy: Nikki Pike
“Right now, the general public shouldn’t be too worried,” he said. “It’s not a pandemic like the COVID-19 virus or anything like that. We’re dealing with limited outbreaks, especially among animals.”
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Other animals such as pigs, dogs and cats could also become infected with bird flu, according to Ali.
– With archives of the Canadian press
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