Threat of more bird flu cases prompts extension of order in Sask.

As bird flu continues to spread across Canada, Saskatchewan’s chief veterinary officer has extended the province’s animal health control area order for another month.

The order limiting the co-mingling of poultry initially was implemented April 14 and was set to expire Saturday. It now has been extended to June 14.

It prohibits producers from taking birds to shows, auctions and agricultural fairs, as well as any other events where birds could be brought together from multiple places.

“The animal health control area order helps to reduce direct contact between birds from different locations, thereby reducing risk of disease transmission between flocks,” the government said in a media release.

“The primary source of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) spread is linked to wild birds, so the risk of disease spread will remain high throughout the rest of the spring migration season.”

So far, the disease has been found in eight commercial and backyard poultry flocks in Saskatchewan. According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, more than 1.8 million birds have been affected on 76 premises across the country.

The agency has said bird flu doesn’t pose a risk to food safety.

The Saskatchewan government previously said biosecurity is the best way for poultry producers and small flock owners to protect their birds from HPAI. Those protocols include keeping wild birds away from poultry flocks and their food and water supply, limiting visitors, and monitoring the health of their birds.

Small flock owners are encouraged to confine their birds indoors, if possible, during wild bird migration.