Investigation underway as CFIA reports avian flu detection in TNRD

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says avian flu has been detected somewhere in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), though it hasn’t said where yet.

According to the CFIA, the outbreak in the TNRD was declared at a non-commercial premises on Friday (Nov. 28), though it has not yet said whether it was at a poultry operation or not.

“As of Nov. 9, 2023, premises with fewer than 1,000 birds in total – and less than 300 anseriformes (for example ducks and geese) – for local sales in limited quantities or for breeding, are now considered non-commercial,” the CFIA’s definition said.

“Previously, the non-commercial classification applied to any flocks with fewer than 300 birds, used for the same purposes.

The CFIA defines a commercial premises as one that either raises birds under Canada’s supply management system with limits on productions and sales or one operating outside that system but with over 1,000 birds or more than 300 anseriformes for sale or breeding.

Those definitions appear to indicate that this outbreak may be located on a small-scale farm of some kind, though that remains unconfirmed.

It’s unlikely that this detection was in the City of Kamloops or another TNRD member municipality. That’s because the CFIA has listed other cities during past outbreaks, as was the case during a recent outbreak at a commercial poultry operation in Salmon Arm.

CFJC has reached out to the CFIA for clarification and information about the nature of this outbreak.

According to the CFIA, this is one of 17 avian flu outbreaks across British Columbia in the month of November, the vast majority of which have been in commercial poultry operations in the Fraser Valley.

Eleven of the 30 outbreaks since Oct. 14 have been in the City of Chilliwack. Eight others are in Abbotsford, four in Langley Township, two in the District of Summerland, and one each in Salmon Arm, Richmond, Pitt Meadows, the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Cariboo Regional District, and the TNRD.

This surge in avian influenza outbreaks come as the fall migration season for many birds takes flight. B.C. poultry flocks have been hard hit by the virus, with an estimated 8.8 million birds dying or being culled in the province in recent years.

Five other outbreaks in January this year – all in the City of Abbotsford – are no longer considered active.

According to the CFIA, avian influenza, commonly known as “bird flu”, is a contagious viral infection that affects several species of food-producing birds, as well as pet birds, wild birds and mammals.

People are asked to report all suspected cases of avian influenza in their flocks to the CFIA. People who come across sick or dead wild birds are asked to call the provincial Wild Bird Reporting Line at 1-866-431-2473 or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

– With files from The Canadian Press