First chicken farm hit by bird flu in NB

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says illness caused by the virus was detected Monday in the region of turtle creek, about twenty kilometers from Moncton. This is a small chicken farm on private property that is not designated as a commercial operation.

As a result of this discovery, no chicken or chicken products can enter, leave or be moved within a certain control area surrounding the property unless authorized.CFIACanadian Food Inspection Agencyuntil it is determined that the situation is under control.

The outbreak affected less than 100 chickens, says theCFIACanadian Food Inspection Agency. All those who survived the disease were euthanized to reduce the risk of contagion.

The federal agency suspects that the disease reached this farm through wild birds.

Other outbreaks are also reported in the United States, Asia and Europe.

Hobby breeders need to be vigilant

When she learned that avian flu had been detected in a small farm located north of her town, Ariane Juneau-Godin was surprised.

The young mother has a small chicken coop in her backyard, in the heart of Moncton. His three hens produce one or two eggs a day.

She immediately inquired if bird flu was transmitted from chickens to humans.

According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, there is no evidence that eating well-cooked chicken or eggs can transmit avian flu to humans.

It reassured mesays Ariane Juneau-Godin. I’m not really worried.

Normally, she regularly offers eggs to her neighbor and a few close friends.

L’CFIACanadian Food Inspection Agency nevertheless asks amateur breeders to stop giving eggs or poultry, in order to prevent the spread of avian flu.

We have friends who will be sadlaunches Ariane Juneau-Godin, who has every intention of following the instructions of public health.

Preventative measures for commercial growers

If the authorities are not overly concerned about the transmission of the virus in humans, it can nevertheless decimate a farm in a few days. If left untreated, all birds on an affected farm should be euthanized to prevent contagion.

Hatching at turtle creek is of little concern because it does not affect a commercial farmexplains the brand manager and director of communications of Chicken Farmers of Canada, Lisa Chop Spencer.

However, the necessary precautions must be taken to prevent the disease from spreading to other farms or to other wild birds.she adds, hence the importance of establishing and respecting the zone of control.

The control zone extends for approximately 10 kilometers around the farm. Any other breeding in such an area should take extra precautions, Bishop-Spencer says.

For example, the tires of vehicles circulating in the establishments are always disinfected, as are the shoes of visitors. People coming and going to commercial farms are currently restricted and a visitor log is kept.

An outbreak at a large commercial producer could have huge ramifications for the poultry industry, says Lisa Chop Spencersince it would affect the supply chain.

This is really concerning because we are already very vigilant and we take the situation very seriously.declares Lisa Chop Spencer.

With information from Pascal Raiche-Nogue andAidan Coxof CBCCanadian Broadcasting Corporation