Toronto councillors prepare to vote this week on the city’s backyard hens pilot program as the 'high pathogenic' bird flu is confirmed in Ontario. Some experts say the avian flu cases among backyard poultry should be cause for concern.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has confirmed cases of the “highly pathogenic” H5N1 strain of avian influenza in five regions of the province, including among backyard flocks of chicken in the townships of Selwyn and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation.
Shayan Sharif, an immunologist at the Ontario Veterinary College who specializes in the immune systems of chickens, said the virus can easily spread from migratory birds to domesticated poultry. “These facilities have showers for workers and visitors when they come in after interacting with the chickens, they disinfect, they do a lot of things,” he said. “In cases of backyard hens, some of these owners probably have no idea what to do with them if they’re sick.”
Coun. Michael Thompson said he is also concerned about the possibility of avian flu among backyard hens, even though Toronto Public Health said in a report to councillors that the risk is limited if there are proper hygiene and coop maintenance practices.
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