Precautions must be taken in all farms to prevent bird flu

Farming. Prevention, control and control measures are recommended for all farms to reduce the spread of bird flu virus.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are issuing this notice on the sidelines of the first two cases of bird flu in Quebec. This infection was detected in Estée, more specifically on a commercial poultry farm (Canard-du-Lac-Brum in Saint-Claude) and the other on a small non-commercial farm in Haut-Saint-François.

“There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to humans through consumption of properly prepared and cooked poultry, game or eggs,” the statement said. You can continue to take them without fear by taking the usual precautions regarding safe food storage, handling and preparation. »

Avian influenza poses a low risk to the general population. The rare cases in which the virus is transmitted to humans are generally associated with close and prolonged contact with infected birds in a closed environment.

MAPAQ and the Quebec Poultry Disease Control Team (EQCMA) are reminding owners of farmed birds to strengthen biosecurity measures and comply with regulations that respect the sanitary conditions of places where captive birds are kept.

MAPAQ also recommends that bird owners, whether on commercial farms or in backyards, take the following precautions:

Avoid direct or indirect contact between farmed birds and wild birds;

If your birds must have access to an outdoor enclosure, the net placed over the enclosure should prevent wild birds from landing there;

Avoid attracting wild birds with food or bodies of water near the enclosure.

Restrict access to the farm to authorized persons only. Ensure that these people comply with applicable biosecurity procedures.

Clean and sterilize cars before they enter livestock places.

Avoid gatherings of birds.

MAPAQ calls for vigilance by poultry owners. They should watch for signs of avian influenza in their birds, such as a lack of energy and appetite, decreased egg production, and many eggs with soft shells or no shells.

In the event of unusual deaths or signs of illness, a veterinarian should be consulted. If this is not possible, call the MAPAQ Reporting Center at 1844 ANIMALS or the CFIA emergency phone line at 1866806-4115.

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