The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning poultry farmers across the country to be extra vigilant this week.

It all comes as a farm in this province is the latest to be hit with the highly contagious avian influenza.

The CFIA says avian influenza is not a food safety concern but notes farmers should undertake enhanced biosecurity procedures.

They say those who do have chickens should asses their manure disposal programs, enhance measures for carcass removal and regularly clean facilities and vehicles by using a disinfectant.

Some of the signs of the bird flu include:

– lack of energy, movement or appetite
– decreased egg production
– swelling around the head, neck and eyes
– coughing, gasping for air or sneezing
– nervous signs, tremors or lack of coordination
– diarrhea
– sudden death

As of late February, nearly 15 million chickens across the country were hit with the contagious disease, with almost 400 of them from this province deriving from a non-commercial farm.

Now, a private, non-commercial farm has been hit in CBS.

A 100-million dollar push has been started in the U.S. to find vaccines for the sick birds, but there’s no word on if or when they could be available in Canada.