As the south Island faces its first positive case of avian flu, the province is calling for quicker support for farmers.

Avian influenza is a viral infection that affects food-producing birds, pet birds and wild birds, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency leads the response in Canada. In 2022, 2023 and 2024, the H5N1 strain was confirmed in B.C. as part of a global outbreak. 

The viral infection officially landed on the south Island with a positive test reported Nov. 21 in non-commercial poultry. Identified only as in the Capital Region, the CFIA designated a primary control zone on Nov. 27 that covers a swatch of Saanich and Victoria from Sinclair Road to Fort at Douglas and along Dallas Road.

B次元官网网址淚t is a big deal, obviously very devastating for the farmers and farms involved,B次元官网网址� said Saanich South MLA Lana Popham, who was recently reappointed as minister of food and agriculture for the province. B次元官网网址淎 regiment gets put in place, itB次元官网网址檚 very strict because itB次元官网网址檚 a very very difficult disease to control.B次元官网网址�

The federal response requires killing and appropriately disposing of birds, which takes a toll on the specific property in question. It can also limit equipment movement.

B次元官网网址淚t makes it difficult for everybody really,B次元官网网址� Popham added, noting the federal agency calls for more biosecurity in the surrounding area.

A pair of provincial orders dictate commercial poultry be contained indoors and no commingling at things such as shows and auctions.

B次元官网网址淓ven small-scale farmers try to pick up some interesting chickens to add to the flock. Right now thatB次元官网网址檚 limited,B次元官网网址� Popham said.

The contagious viral infection primarily affects birds but can infect humans and other mammals. Most cases are reported during migration season when wild birds carrying the virus are in high numbers in B.C.

B次元官网网址淜nocking on wood weB次元官网网址檙e getting to the end of this difficult season, but I donB次元官网网址檛 think weB次元官网网址檙e quite there yet,B次元官网网址� Popham said.

B.C. currently has 54 sites identified impacting about 7,242,000 birds as of Nov. 26. In contrast, Alberta has four, Quebec three and Manitoba and Saskatchewan one site each. While it may be rare in Greater Victoria, other parts of Vancouver Island have dealt with the viral infection that descends during migration season.

Consumers can feel confident the food supply chain is in good shape, said Popham, who most recently served as minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, but was agriculture minister from 2017 to 2022.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 see it affecting the supply of poultry or eggs but it's still a challenging time for farmers. It definitely changes the way operations work during this time.B次元官网网址�

There have been no cases reported in dairy cattle in Canada and no evidence of avian influenza in samples of milk.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 only known human case of the avian flu hospitalized a B.C. teen earlier this month.

An extensive, multi-agency public-health investigation found no other human cases or indication of human-to-human transmission, according to the province.

B次元官网网址淭o date, all tests on humans, animals and environmental samples related to this investigation have been negative for influenza H5. While it is reassuring that no further cases have been identified, officials have also not been able to definitively identify the source of the young personB次元官网网址檚 infection,B次元官网网址� the province said.

Residents can report a sick or dead bird to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-800-567-2033. Other recommendations include not touching or feeding wild birds by hand, and cleaning backyard feeders and baths well and regularly.

Domestic and wild birds should be kept separate and pets protected by keeping them indoors or on leash to prevent contact with wild birds and droppings. For more safety information visit .

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got quite a lot of families living on farms affected by this. ThatB次元官网网址檚 always my main concern,B次元官网网址� Popham said.

The cost associated with animal loss and cleanup can be high, and while the CFIA supports farmers, it does involve a repayment which can take too long, Popham has heard.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e advocating to the federal government asking if those payments could be expedited.B次元官网网址�