Cage-free chickens walk in a fenced pasture at an organic farm near Waukon, Iowa, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Photo by Charlie Neibergall /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

By Victor Kaisar

Bird Flu

Avian flu detected in Salmon Arm commercial poultry flock as number of outbreaks rise in B.C.

Nov 2, 2025 | 1:42 PM

SALMON ARM — There has been a surge in avian influenza outbreaks in British Columbia as the fall migration season for many birds takes flight.

According to a list published by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), an outbreak was declared at a commercial poultry operation in the City of Salmon Arm on Saturday (Nov. 1). Details regarding that outbreak in the Shuswap are not immediately clear.

The virus has now been detected in 14 commercial poultry flocks in British Columbia since Oct. 14 this year. Thirteen of those outbreaks are in operations located in the Fraser Valley – seven in Chilliwack, five in Abbotsford, and one in Langley Township.

Another outbreak was also detected in a non-commercial, non-poultry operation in the District of Summerland on Oct. 30, though details are also not immediately clear.

These are the first new outbreaks of avian flu confirmed in the province since last January.

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This surge in avian influenza outbreaks come as the fall migration season for many birds takes flight. B.C. poultry flocks have been hard hit by the virus, with an estimated 8.8 million birds dying or being culled in the province in recent years.

The outbreak confirmed last Dec. 31 at an ostrich farm in Edgewood is still considered active, for a total of 14 outbreaks in B.C. The status of the Salmon Arm outbreak has yet to be determined.

The fate of the ostriches now lies with the Supreme Court of Canada as it mulls whether to grant the farm leave to appeal a lower court decision that upheld the cull order. A ruling is expected Thursday (Nov. 6).

According to the CFIA, avian influenza, commonly known as “bird flu”, is a contagious viral infection that affects several species of food-producing birds, as well as pet birds, wild birds and mammals.

People are asked to report all suspected cases of avian influenza in their flocks to the CFIA. People who come across sick or dead wild birds are asked to call the provincial Wild Bird Reporting Line at 1-866-431-2473 or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

– With files from The Canadian Press