B.C.'s chief vet tells clinics to set up avian flu protocols amid human exposure risk

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 said in a letter to vets last week that reporting of sick and dead wild birds across the province has increased recently. She said 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 human case of the H5N1 strain of avian flu infection acquired in Canada, with the teenage patient in critical condition.

In 2004, two poultry farm workers in the Fraser Valley fell ill with the H7N3 strain of avian flu. According to Public Health Canada, H7N3 typically presents with mild symptoms, while H5N1 is typically more severe.

Burns said in an interview that sick birds should be isolated from people and animals, and that anyone who interacts with them should wear protective gear, including gowns, gloves and eye protection.

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

The commercial poultry sector in B.C. has been hit hard by the disease over the past couple of years. More than 6.5 million birds have been culled since the spring of 2022, and 28 flocks are currently infected.

Burns said the industry saw a rise in the number of cases at the beginning of this season, but it's unclear whether that will continue or level off over the next few weeks.

Migratory wild birds, particularly waterfowl species such as ducks and geese, are believed to be the primary carrier of the disease, but government data shows other infected species have included hawks, ravens and herons.