After nearly 100 birds at Spallumcheen’s O’Keefe Ranch had to be culled following an outbreak of bird flu, the British Columbia government will host an information session for small-flock poultry owners.
The outbreak was declared by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on September 18, which noted that the birds were not poultry, meaning the birds were used for reasons other than the production of animal products
This outbreak follows one of many after avian influenza (H5N1), a federally regulated disease, began to spread worldwide with the first reported instance in BC occurring in the North Okanagan on April 13.
Now, the province is bringing together government veterinary specialists to talk to small-flock poultry owners in Kelowna about the bird flu virus, how they can protect their flocks and how to prepare for the potential effects if the birds they get sick
Attendees will learn about:
• Improve herd or farm biosecurity to strengthen against disease outbreaks;
• recognize the signs of bird flu and how to report cases;
•How foreign animal disease regulations affect small flock poultry;
• What to expect if a flock is positive for bird flu; i
•Resources available to non-commercial bird owners, including diagnostic services through the BC Animal Health Centre.
The session will be held in Reid Hall from 8.30am to 1pm on Thursday 29 September. Attendees will receive a free biosecurity kit containing tools and information to help maintain good biosecurity practices.
READ MORE: Bird flu found in Spallumcheen birds
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