There’s been a surge in avian influenza outbreaks in B.C.’s Fraser Valley as the fall migration season for many birds takes flight.

A list published by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency shows the virus has been detected in nine commercial poultry flocks in the region over the last two weeks.

They mark the first new outbreaks confirmed in the province since last January.

The first outbreak of this season was detected Oct. 14 in a flock in Abbotsford and the other eight have been confirmed since last Thursday.

Six of the outbreaks are at Chilliwack-area farms and three are in Abbotsford.

B.C. poultry flocks have been hard hit by the virus, with an estimated 8.8 million birds dying or being culled in the province in recent years.

The outbreak confirmed last Dec. 31 at an ostrich farm

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