Amid assurances from producers and that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) that the outbreak of a highly virulent strain of H5N2 Avian Flu is likely under control, the agency reported another Abbotsford farm is now under quarantine because of the diseas.
The CBC reported Saturday that the flu has spread.
[excerpt] The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed Saturday afternoon that avian influenza had spread to a fifth Fraser Valley farm, a turkey producer near Abbotsford, B.C.B.C. Ministry of Agriculture Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jane Pritchard says the turkey farm contains two barns with a capacity of 30,000 birds each.
The CFIA says given the highly contagious nature of the disease it anticipated other farms could be identified.
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meanwhile a total of seven countries have now imposed restrictions against the import of Canadian or BC poultry as a result of the outbreak according to the Globe & Mail.
[excerpt]
Seven countries have imposed trade restrictions on Canadian poultry as a fifth farm in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley was put under quarantine for avian influenza, officials said Saturday.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said that more than 140,000 turkeys and chickens from the affected farms will be euthanized.
B.C. chief veterinary officer Dr. Jane Pritchard says 60,000 turkeys are in the fifth farm.
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