A turkey flock in the Comox Valley is expected to be euthanized after testing confirmed the presence of avian influenza, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. When avian flu is detected in a small, non-commercial flock of fewer than 1,000 birds, federal legislation allows the agency to require the owner to destroy and properly dispose of both infected birds and those that may have been exposed.
To prevent further spread of the disease, the CFIA has established a primary control zone around the affected property. Within this area, the movement of birds and any related products is restricted unless authorization is granted. The zone extends north to Merville, south to Cumberland, west to Comox Lake, and east to the coastline. The agency is also coordinating with the flock’s owner regarding financial compensation for the birds that must be destroyed, which will not enter the food system.
The restrictions will remain in place until monitoring and testing of nearby flocks are completed, though no specific timeline has been provided. Avian influenza outbreaks have increased in British Columbia in recent years, leading to the loss of an estimated nine million poultry birds. The CFIA says its response follows internationally recognized animal health standards and focuses on eliminating the virus through depopulation of vulnerable domestic birds and thorough disinfection of affected sites.
