Avian flu outbreak spreads to Langley, B.C.
Virus has now been detected on 10 farms in the Fraser Valley
The avian flu outbreak in the Fraser Valley east of Vancouver has spread to Langley, officials have confirmed.
Previously the virus had been detected at nine poultry farms in Chilliwack and Abbotsford.
But on the weekend officials with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed it was detected at an egg farm in Langley.
As a result 53,000 egg-producing chickens will have to be destroyed, whether or not they have the virus.
The CFIA says the avian influenza virus does not pose risks to people when poultry is properly cooked and handled.
However, the economic concerns for poultry producers are growing as the outbreak continues to spread. More that 233,000 birds have been killed by the virus or culled to prevent its spread.
Already, several countries have banned B.C. poultry and the B.C. Poultry Association is making plans to bring in birds from other provinces to meet the Christmas demand.