Several Asian markets have decided to restrict the import of Canadian poultry following the detection of avian influenza on two farms in British Columbia.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza, also called bird flu, in two farms at Fraser Valley- a turkey farm in Abbotsford and a broiler breeder farm in Chilliwack.
Reuters reported citing a Canadian government spokesman Patrick Girard as saying that South Korea has banned imports of Canadian chicks, while Japan and Taiwanhave put trade restrictions on chicken and poultry products from Canada.
Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) said the government has banned the import of poultry meat and products from the district where the H5 avian influenza has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, CFIA has placed those farms under quarantine to control disease spread and the industry has been notified to take necessary biosecurity practices.
The bird flu viruses are not harmful if poultry and poultry products are properly handled and cooked and it rarely affects humans that do not have consistent contact with infected birds, CFIA said.
The US has not imposed sanctions yet.
