Canada expands poultry restrictions as avian flu spreads to more U.S. states

VANCOUVER – Canada’s food inspection agency has expanded its warning to Canadian travellers after two new cases of avian flu were confirmed in the United States.

The highly contagious poultry influenza has reached Montana and South Dakota.

Canada has restricted bringing raw poultry and poultry products, as well as raw pet food, across the border from affected areas.

The disease was also found in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Minnesota, Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas.

B.C.’s Fraser Valley was hit by an avian flu outbreak that began last December and hit 11 commercial chicken and turkey farms.

Avian flu, which is harmless to humans, has not been detected in B.C. since early February and the control zone set up to stop its spread has since been lifted.