How to protect yourself
While it is rare, there have been cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza causing disease in humans. More often, this occurs when people have had close contact with infected birds.
For more information, please visit this BC Centre for Disease Control page.
Here is a downloadable document for workers should avian influenza be confirmed on your premise.
While there has never been a case of HPAI linked to a farm in Canada, there have been cases of farmers and backyard flock owners getting ill from the virus in other countries, including the US. In some instances those illnesses have even resulted in death.
The stringent biosecurity measures Canadian farmers follow are very likely why no-one here has gotten sick. It is therefore critical we all follow those measures, especially during times of elevated risk:
- Rapidly report any unusual moralities to the CFIA’s sick bird line, and stay out of the barn until testing is complete to avoid exposure.
- Wear PPE – barn boots, coveralls, gloves, masks, and even goggles. Science tells us the virus most typically infects humans through their eyes.
- Avoid using the same equipment inside the barn as you do outside if possible, and thoroughly clean any equipment moving in to the barn.
- Maintain good cleaning practices.
- Monitor for dead birds on your property, and avoid contact with them.
You can review BC’s red biosecurity level protocols here.
