BC’s chief vet says clinics must help prevent spread of avian flu

British Columbia’s chief veterinarian has told clinics that treat wild birds that they must establish protocols to prevent the spread of avian flu, warning of the risk of human exposure to the illness.

Dr. Theresa Burns says in a letter to vets last week that reporting of sick and dead wild birds across the province has increased recently, and clinics handling wild birds must have safety procedures in place and ensure staff are trained and equipped with proper protection.

Days after Burns issued her letter, B.C. health authorities announced the first case of human bird flu infection acquired in Canada, with the teenage patient in critical condition.

Burns says sick birds should be isolated from people and animals and that anyone interacting with them should wear protective gear including gowns, gloves, and eye protection.

She says tests of wetland sediments in areas where wild birds gather have shown high levels of the H5N1 bird flu virus, but so far the number of wild birds being reported with the infection is similar to 2022 and 2023.

The commercial poultry sector in British Columbia has been hit hard by avian flu, with 28 flocks currently infected as migratory birds fly south for winter and more than 6.5 million birds culled since spring of 2022.

Currently, there are 26 farms in the province currently experiencing avian flu outbreaks, according to the BC Poultry Association.

Spokesperson Shawn Hall says some of those farms have had to perform culls on their birds to prevent the disease from spreading further, but he says it’s a heartbreaking situation.

“You know, families live and work on the farm, and no farmer wants to have an infection in their operation,” Hall said.

“[They] care deeply about the animals and producing food for British Columbia. So it’s devastating for the farmers involved.”

He says they are taking increased precautions with workers, too. Staff are wearing enhanced protective gear, and no visitors are allowed on site anymore.

Over the weekend, B.C. announced its first human case of H5N1. The teenage patient, who’s in hospital in critical condition, has no connection to farms, and authorities are currently trying to determine how they got sick.