Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

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Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) continue to be found on poultry farms in Ontario, and on dairy farms in certain U.S. states. To date, no confirmed cases of HPAI have been found in Canadian cattle and protections are currently in place to prevent similar outbreaks on Canadian dairy farms.

Livestock and poultry farmers are encouraged to follow good biosecurity practices to mitigate the risk of spreading HPAI between farms, animals, and people.

OFA and other agricultural organizations continue to monitor the situation closely. Here are some tips for prevention, monitoring, and reporting avian influenza in livestock and poultry.

Clinical symptoms of HPAI infection in livestock and poultry:

Reduced appetite.
Lethargy.
Fever.
Dehydration.
Thickened, discoloured milk (dairy)
Decreased milk production (dairy)

Spread

HPAI is primarily transmitted to animals by infected migratory birds and can be spread further on farms by people through clothing, shoes, vehicles, equipment, and water.

Domestic poultry like chickens, laying hens and turkeys have no natural immunity to HPAI. This means when they become infected, it has devastating consequences for the birds themselves, as well as the poultry industry, and our food supply system.

HPAI does not pose a food safety risk when poultry products (wild and domestic) are handled and cooked properly.

Limiting the Spread

Animal to Animal

Closely follow biosecurity practices
Monitor livestock and poultry for signs of illness
Restrict animal movement unless necessary
Isolate and monitor sick animals immediately
Disinfect boots and equipment
Limit human movement on-farm, including those that come from off-farm
Reduce bird and wildlife access to farm properties

Animal to People

Wear proper equipment when handling sick animals
Follow proper biosecurity and disinfection protocols
Change clothing before moving between farms
Limit contact with other livestock and poultry premises
Restrict human movement on farm and those from off-farm

Water, Feed, and Air

Restrict unnecessary equipment and vehicles on farm
Change clothing before moving between farms
Reduce standing water on your property
Do not use surface water as a source of drinking water
Separate biosecurity zones

Disinfection

HPAI is killed easily using common disinfectants. Keep equipment, clothing, and footwear clean to protect animal and human health.

What to do if you think your birds or livestock are sick

Closely monitor the health status of your animals for clinical signs of disease. If you detect any sick animals on your farm, isolate them and contact your veterinarian immediately. Work with your veterinarian on testing, care of sick animals, and steps for returning them to the herd.

Do not handle any sick or dead birds found on your farm.

Contact your local Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative office for guidance. In Ontario, contact the Ontario regional centre of the Canadian Wildlife Cooperative at 1 (866) 673-4781.