Bird Flu response in Canada

Public health authorities in Canada have announced plans to kill 60,000 birds after recent cases of avian influenza.

The H5 strand was discovered at a poultry farm in British Columbia, where the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will focus its operations.

Birds at the infected premises will be euthanized with carbon dioxide and allowed to compost in the barn for seven to ten days.

A further 23 poultry farms in a three-kilometre radius are currently under quarantine and are being monitored by the CFIA to prevent an outbreak and limit the possibility of the disease spreading to humans.

Farmers and poultry workers who lose birds will receive compensation, the CFIA has confirmed.

A statement form the agency read: "The CFIA will provide compensation to producers for the market value of all birds ordered destroyed through this investigation, as well as any costs the producer may incur associated with disposal. Assistance is also available through other federal and provincial programs."

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