Avian flu case discovered in Greater Victoria, officials confirm

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed a case of avian flu has been detected in Greater Victoria, on the Saanich Peninsula.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed a case of avian flu has been detected in Greater Victoria, on the Saanich Peninsula.

That has poultry farmers and backyard egg producers on southern Vancouver Island on high alert.

Due to the outbreak, a primary control zone has been established around the area that the disease was detected.

"We are now operating on the south island with different biosecurity protocols, which would affect farms or anyone with backyard poultry,” said Lana Popham, minister of agriculture and food.

Those restrictions mean poultry is not allowed to be moved around the south island, and that poultry needs to be contained inside.

The public is also being asked to watch for dead wild birds – and if found, report them to the CFIA.

Ann Nightingale, a volunteer with Rocky Point Bird Observatory, said Saanich’s Panama Flats is a popular spot for migrating water fowl, and that could be a clue as to how the virus made it to the Saanich Peninsula.