Avian influenza has killed turkeys and chickens at two farms in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley. The farms, located approximately three miles from the Canadian border with Washington state, are under quarantine after thousands of turkeys and chickens died from what has been identified so far as H5 type avian flu, although the exact strain is not yet known. According to representatives from the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), the situation poses no risk to Washington. The WSDA is working with the US Department of Agriculture to conduct increased surveillance in Whatcom County, including testing birds at market as well as potentially high-risk flocks. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans to humanely euthanize and dispose of all birds at the infected premises, a turkey farm in Abbotsford and a broiler breeder farm in Chilliwack. Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease of chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, guinea fowl and other birds. Avian influenza viruses do not pose risks to food safety when poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked. Avian influenza rarely affects humans that do not have consistent contact with infected birds.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 01:11:08 +0000
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