Avian flu detected in southern B.C.: CFIA

An H5 avian flu virus has been found in a commercial turkey farm in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed Saturday.

The federal agency said tests to date indicate that the strain involved in this case is "low pathogenic."

Pathogenicity refers to the severity of the illness caused in birds. More tests are being done to determine the exact strain of the virus.

The initial testing was done after some of the 50,000 turkeys on E&H Farms in Abbotsford showed signs of respiratory distress.

Abbotsford is about 75 kilometres southeast of Vancouver.

Any infected meat that may have been sold will pose no risk to humans if the poultry is handled and prepared properly, said a disease control specialist with the CFIA.

"All birds on the infected premises will be euthanized and disposed of in accordance with provincial regulations," said Sandra Stephens.

"Once all birds have been removed, the CFIA will oversee the cleaning and disinfection of the barns, vehicles, equipment and tools that are on the premises."

In addition, the agency is restricting transport of poultry and poultry products within three kilometres of the infected operation.

About 17 million birds were slaughtered in the Fraser Valley in February 2004 following an outbreak of the H7N3 strain of the disease, but it is a different strain from the deadly H5N1 version linked to nearly 250 deaths and other illnesses in Southeast Asia, China, Russia and Europe.