Fears over the spread of avian flu, also known as bird flu, pushed Canadian Food Authorities to euthanize thousands of birds in Quebec in recent days.
Officials gassed about 75,000 chickens at a farm in Saint-Alfonse-de-Granby, Quebec, after the virus was detected one of two barns located the same farm. Officials opted to euthanize birds in both buildings to keep the virus from spreading.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency killed 11,00 turkeys on a nearby farm for the same reason, according to Pierre-Luc-Leblanc, President of Poultry Farmers Quebec.
“It’s a big problem,” said Leblanc. And said the area is on red alert due to the high volume farms located close together-there are about 200 within a 10 kilogram radius.
He said the virus is very contagious, the risk for other farms. The city has implemented strict protective measures to limit the potential for spread, where the disease can spread through infected birds.
And can also contaminate manure, litter, clothing, footwear, vehicles, equipment, feed and water.
It is not however, easily transmitted to humans. The Canadian Government said there is no evidence to suggest eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit H5N1 highly avian influenza (HPAI) to humans, though direct contact with birds or contaminated spaces can lead to human infection, in rare cases.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will compensate the affected farmers for the significant revenue hit associated with losing entire flock of birds.
Restarting production can be extremely challenging to farmers, as restarting flocks can take up to 6 months.
Courtesy Canadian Food Inspection Agency.