Avian flu has been identified at two more commercial poultry farms in Abbotsford.
Figures from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency show there have been 44 B-C outbreaks of avian flu since October 20th.
More than five million birds have died or have been culled in the province since the first case of the H-5-N-1 variant was reported in April 2022.
The virus is quickly spread from wild birds migrating south and earlier this month the chief veterinarian ordered farmers to put their birds indoors.
British Columbia's provincial health officer says people living or working on poultry farms should "prioritize" getting influenza vaccinations as avian flu spreads among flocks this fall. Dr. Bonnie Henry says while avian flu does not transmit easily from birds to humans, infections "can happen and are very concerning" because of the potential for the virus to mix with human influenza and mutate into something much more contagious.
Global Affairs Canada says none of the Canadians on Friday's list of foreign nationals approved to leave the Gaza Strip were able to exit. There were 266 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their family members on the Friday list who hoped to cross into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing.
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared at a Victoria area hospital. Island Health says in a statement the outbreak was declared Thursday at the centre unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital, with 15 patients infected and all experiencing mild illness.
Canada Post, the primary postal operator in the country, has issued a new stamp celebrating the arrival of Diwali, the festival of lights observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other communities across the world. The stamp, which was released in a special booklet of six, costing CA$ 5.52, is available for purchase at post offices across the country.
Brampton-based Ste Louise Outreach Centre of Peel said it cannot provide enough food and other supplies to its customers as the number of foreign students turning up at the outlet has been soaring since September, the CBC news channel reported. A food bank is a charitable organisation that collects safe, nutritious food, and redistributes it to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity.
The City of Surrey says its bylaw officers seized a record 345-thousand dollars worth of fireworks over the last three weeks. Mayor Brenda Locke says the work sends a strong message that illegal fireworks will not be tolerated in Surrey.