B.C. free-range chickens can range free again as animal health order lifted

The province’s chief veterinarian has lifted an order preventing commercial poultry flocks from being outside, allowing some B.C. chickens their first breath of fresh air in nine months.

B.C.’s chief veterinarian Theresa Burns said she lifted the order a few weeks ago after determining the avian flu risk had decreased with the start of summer. In terms that echoed much of the speculation around COVID, Burns said it is unclear what will happen to the highly infectious H5N1 avian influenza virus when the wild bird migration begins again in the fall. Cases could gradually decline as wild birds begin to develop immunity, or the virus could mutate and become more contagious.Avian flu has typically been seasonal in B.C., with several outbreaks since 2004, when 16 million birds in the Fraser Valley had to be culled.

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B.C. free-range chickens can range free again as animal health order liftedFor the past nine months, an order has prevented commercial poultry flocks from being outside, including organic and free-range birds, to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »

B.C. free-range chickens can range free again as animal health order liftedFor the past nine months, an order has prevented commercial poultry flocks from being outside, including organic and free-range birds, to prevent the spread of avian influenza.
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »