Canada has now gone more than three months without a new case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry, a welcome break for farmers who faced devastating losses earlier in the year. However, the virus has not disappeared entirely. Surveillance continues to detect its presence among wild birds, underscoring that the threat is far from over.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reported on August 18 that H5N1 HPAI was recently identified in wild birds across four provinces. Ontario saw the widest range of detections, including double-crested cormorants, a great horned owl, a ring-billed gull, and a herring gull. In New Brunswick, the virus was found in a bald eagle, while Saskatchewan reported a case in a snow goose. Nova Scotia recorded three additional cases, involving a Canada goose, an arctic tern, and another bald eagle. These findings highlight the virus’s ability to persist in the environment, carried by migratory and resident wild birds that continue to interact with domestic flocks.
While these detections are concerning, WOAH emphasized that cases in wild birds should not be used as a reason to restrict the international movement of poultry and poultry products. The organization continues to encourage countries to base trade decisions on science and actual risks to poultry production rather than infections outside of commercial systems.
The last confirmed outbreak in a Canadian commercial flock occurred on May 2 in Wallace, Manitoba. That event affected a turkey and duck farm, resulting in the loss of about 14,400 birds. In addition, four non-commercial or backyard flocks across Canada were struck by the virus in May, with the final case confirmed on May 15 in Kings County, Prince Edward Island. Since then, no further commercial or small-scale farms have been hit, offering a much-needed reprieve for the industry.
Even with this period of calm, the continued circulation of HPAI in wild bird populations remains a concern for producers and wildlife officials alike. As fall migration approaches, the risk of new introductions into domestic flocks is expected to rise again. Ongoing monitoring, strict biosecurity, and rapid response protocols will remain critical in preventing the virus from regaining a foothold in Canada’s poultry sector.
