H5N1: Assessing & Mitigating the Risks to Poultry (Bonus Episode)

This bonus episode was produced on behalf of the Small Scale Meat Producers Association with funding it received through the Farmed Animal Disease Program. The funding was delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation on behalf of the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

This episode, two conversations aimed at helping us understand the risks posed by highly pathogenic H5N1. This strain of Avian Influenza has been circulating widely among wild birds in North America and over the last couple of years has had serious impacts on poultry flocks across Canada and the US.

My first guest is Dr. Gigi Lin.

Gigi is the Animal Welfare & Extension Emergency Management Veterinarian in the Office of the Chief Veterinarian at the BC Ministry of Agriculture & Food. She joined me specifically to talk about the H1N1 virus: what it is, how it spreads, and risk mitigation practices for farmers with outdoor flocks in BC.

My other guest is Christian Alexandre of Alexandre Family Farm. Christian and his family operate a large organic dairy and pastured poultry operation in northern California. He joined me to talk about a major outbreak of avian influenza his farm experienced and how it impacted his business.

A couple more useful links:

BC Ministry of Agriculture webpage on Avian Influenza

BC Ministry of Agriculture webpage on Premises ID