Vancouver residents with backyard chickens are taking extra precautions to protect their flocks from the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) that is spreading across British Columbia.
Lumpy Eye the chicken, a beloved resident of an East Vancouver neighbourhood, is currently in isolation within her coop. Her owner, Duncan Martin, explained that this precaution is necessary to protect her from contact with wild birds and the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) that is currently affecting numerous commercial flocks across British Columbia.
Martin, like many other urban poultry enthusiasts in Vancouver, is taking extra measures to ensure the safety and well-being of their flocks. Over 8.5 million birds have been culled in British Columbia due to the outbreak. The risk of human infection is also a concern, as evidenced by the recent death of a person in Louisiana who had been in contact with sick and dead birds. In Canada, a teenage girl became critically ill with H5N1 in November, marking the first domestically acquired case. The source of her infection remains unknown.While no infections have been recorded among Vancouver's 184 registered backyard chicken flocks, the City of Vancouver spokeswoman, Pinder Rehal, acknowledges that bird flu poses a real and present threat. The number of registered backyard flocks has significantly increased since the city allowed them in 2010. Although the exact number of infected backyard flocks across Canada is unclear, data from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reveals outbreaks last year in 15 non-commercial poultry farms, including four in British Columbia.Dr. Theresa Burns, B.C.'s chief veterinarian, urges owners of small or backyard flocks to remain vigilant and implement preventive measures. These include maintaining a clean and dry environment for their birds, ideally keeping them indoors to minimize contact with the outside environment where they could encounter the virus. Burns emphasizes the importance of changing clothes, shoes, and thoroughly washing hands after interacting with wild birds or visiting properties with backyard chickens. Additionally, poultry feed should be managed to prevent attracting wild birds. Dr. Burns notes that North America is heavily impacted by avian flu, particularly along the Pacific flyway migration path. She warns that bird feces are the most contaminated substance and that H5N1 survives well in cool, wet conditions. Surveillance of wetlands in B.C. reveals some areas heavily contaminated with the virus. While waterfowl like geese and ducks are most susceptible, small songbirds can also carry the virus into backyards. Martin, Lumpy Eye's owner, takes these precautions seriously, isolating his chicken not only from other birds but also from their pet cat.Fellow East Vancouver chicken keepers, Joshua and Holly Hergesheimer, are actively monitoring their flock of four hens to prevent contact with other birds. They diligently check their hens' health, looking for signs of illness or distress. They also prioritize hygiene by changing clothes and footwear after interacting with their chickens or visiting other properties with poultry. Dr. Burns reassures the public that the risk to humans remains low, but emphasizes the importance of continued education and vigilance, particularly for those working with poultry or wild birds. Anecdotally, she reports a decrease in sick and dead wild birds compared to 2022, suggesting a possible development of population-level immunity. However, she cautions that mutations could potentially alter H5N1's infectivity and pose new challenges.
AVIAN INFLUENZA BIRD FLU BACKYARD CHICKENS PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES PUBLIC HEALTH ANIMAL HEALTH
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