Grappling with Canada’s largest-ever avian flu outbreak.
By Liam Nolan
Canada’s agricultural industry continues to monitor the spread of Avian Influenza (AI).
The H5N1 HPAI was first reported in Canada in December 2021, below is an update on recent developments.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, continues to impact poultry farms worldwide, leading to supply chain disruptions and rising food prices. The virus’s spread to mammals – including dairy cows in the United States – has also heightened concerns over potential risks to human health.
Birds Affected
According to Statistics Canada, 15 million domestic birds have now been either culled or died on their own after being infected with the current H5N1 subtype of avian flu.
“The current avian influenza outbreak is the largest ever seen in Canada and the toll it has taken on both birds and people is immense,” reports Chicken Farmers of Canada on their association website.
StatCan reported that on Nov. 7, 2024, the total estimated number of birds affected by AI in Canada was 11.5 million. As of Jan. 31, the number had grown to an estimated 15 million.
H5N5 Outbreak
Canadian authorities recently confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N5 avian influenza at a non-commercial backyard poultry farm in Newfoundland and Labrador, according to the World Organization for Animal Health.
Officials report that this highly pathogenic H5N5 strain found in this outbreak closely resembles the virus detected in Canada in 2023. It is also linked to H5N1, which has been responsible for cases in Canada and elsewhere.
Vaccines for humans
On February 19, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced that it has proactively purchased an initial supply of 500,000 doses of a human vaccine against avian influenza A(H5N1).
PHAC has suggested that farmers may be at the front of the line to receive the vaccine. The Public Health Agency of Canada said it secured GSK’s Arepanrix H5N1 A/America vaccine by “leveraging an existing agreement.”
The agency said it will be used as part of the country’s “contingency planning to protect people who may be at increased risk of being exposed to the virus through animals infected.” The risk to the general public remains low.
PHAC will keep 40 percent of the vaccines in federal reserves and distribute the remaining 60 percent of doses to the provinces and territories distributed on “an equitable and risk-based approach,” according to the media release.
“By making human vaccines against avian influenza available for potential use in individuals at increased risk of exposure to avian influenza as part of our readiness, we are enhancing our capacity to protect people in Canada and respond rapidly to emerging public health challenges,” says Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer.