Proper precautions to protect flocks are required, stressed Dr Gerald Hauer, Alberta’s chief veterinarian, following British Columbia’s avian influenza outbreak.

And, although bird movement between British Columbia and Alberta is “minimal”, Dr Hauer insisted producers should be employing “sound biosecurity practices”.

“Some steps to improve biosecurity include knowing where the birds are coming from and that they have a clean bill of health,” advised Alberta’s rural ministry department.

“Quarantining them for a few weeks to confirm that they are healthy, looking at all avenues disease can enter the farm, and having procedures in place to prevent the disease, such keeping the flock’s contact with wild birds to a minimum, will minimize the potential of a disease outbreak in a flock.”

Further Reading

You can visit the Avian Flu page by clicking here.