Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 10/29/15


The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued serious warnings about the possibility of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) with the fall migration of wild birds.

The agency called the return of HPAI among Canadian flocks a “significant threat” to poultry and CFIA is offering biosecurity tips and guidelines to poultry farmers and processors to stem the potential for a widespread outbreak. They include preventing contact with wild birds and other animals, keeping farms and chicken houses clean, limiting contact with visitors and isolating new or sick birds.

The outbreak in 2014-2015 caused the deaths of 250,000 birds in Canada and HPAI was detected in three commercial flocks in Ontario and 11 commercial and two backyard flocks in British Columbia, CFIA reported.

CFIA also has established a website with resources on how to protect Canadian flocks and is encouraging anyone who finds a dead wild bird to contact officials at the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

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