Commercial flock in Saskatchewan, 2 backyard flocks in B.C. have avian flu: CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says avian flu has been found on three more farms in Western Canada – two in British Columbia and one in Saskatchewan.

A statement from the agency says the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza was identified in all three flocks on Wednesday.

It says the Saskatchewan outbreak is in a commercial flock in the Rural Municipality of Baildon, south of Moose Jaw.

The B.C. outbreaks involve small, backyard flocks in the north Okanagan and in the central Okanagan.

All three farms have been quarantined and federal and provincial officials are taking other necessary measures to control the spread of the extremely infectious illness.

The CFIA has said the global outbreak of avian flu is likely being spread by contact between wild migrating birds and farmed flocks.

Cases in Canada have been reported in every province except Prince Edward Island.