A total of 22 Canadian farms have been hit by bird flu following Saturday's confirmation of infection on two more farms, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said.  

All the infected farms are in the western province of British Columbia, the agency said.

Dr. Cornelius Kiley, chief veterinarian of British Columbia said it was no surprise that the two additional farms were found to be infected because they were both near the high risk region.

Kiley said officials are working around the clock to stamp out the spread of the virus in the area.

Some countries have imposed partial bans on Canadian poultry, accepting products from all provinces but British Columbia.

Health Canada confirmed Saturday there had been no new bird flu cases found in humans.

(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2004)