VANCOUVER — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says two more farms have been placed under quarantine due to avian influenza in British Columbia's Fraser Valley.
The agency says 18,000 birds are either dead or scheduled to be euthanized after the H5 strain of avian influenza was detected at two other farms in B.C.'s Fraser Valley earlier this week.
The two farms where virus was found were placed under an quarantine, and now two more farms have also been placed under quarantine.
Dr. Harpreet Kochhar, Canada's chief veterinary officer, says tests to determine the particular strain of the virus are expected within days.
Officials say the virus does not pose a risk to consumers if poultry meat is properly handled and cooked, though in rare cases it can be transmitted to people who work in close contact with the animals.
Hong Kong's food safety agency has announced a ban on poultry meat and eggs from B.C.'s Fraser Valley region.
More coming..