Actions producers can take to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cattle

Producers can prevent the spread of HPAI by monitoring cattle for clinical signs and contacting their veterinarian for any suspected cases.

Good on-farm biosecurity practices can help keep farm workers, producers, their family, and animals safe.

Guidance for producers will be updated as new information becomes available.

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Monitor cattle for clinical signs

Clinical signs may include:

  • sudden and significant decrease in milk production
  • colostrum-like consistency of milk
  • decreased feed intake
  • decreased rumen motility
  • respiratory signs, including clear nasal discharge
  • dry stool or diarrhea
  • lethargy
  • dehydration
  • fever

Clinical signs in some cattle improve over 4 to 7 days, but some do not recover in milk production

Practice good biosecurity measures

Good on-farm biosecurity practices are always the best way to prevent the introduction of diseases on farm:

  • avoid bringing new animals onto the farm
  • if dairy cows are being brought onto the farm, consider testing prior to introducing them into the herd
  • if new animals must be added to a herd, or if animals have had contact with animals from other herds (for example show or sale yard), isolate and monitor for 30 days
  • completely clean and disinfect the livestock trailer if moving cattle other than your own or if returning from the U.S.
  • minimize and restrict wildlife access to cattle and their environment including feed and water sources
  • contact provincial or national associations for any enhanced biosecurity protocols that may be available

Read more information about animal biosecurity, that includes:

  • animal-specific standards
  • protocols
  • practices
  • a self-assessment checklist

Report suspected cases and take extra precautions

In Canada, HPAI is a reportable disease in all animals. All suspected cases must be reported to the CFIA.

Producers are asked to contact their veterinarian and isolate any sick animals from the rest of the herd.

For herds where HPAI is suspected in cattle:

  • take personal safety precautions
  • re-enforce good milking practices, such as equipment disinfection and milking sick or new cattle separately or last
  • isolate sick cattle from the herd
  • avoid housing multiple species together
  • heighten biosecurity measures between different species on the farm
  • limit animal movements as much as possible within and off the farm
  • do not consume raw milk or feed it to other animals on farm

Personal safety

Avian influenza viruses such as HPAI can, on rare occasions, cause disease in humans. Canada has never reported a locally acquired case in a person and the risk of transmission to humans remains low.

Take extra precautions to protect yourself if you are in contact with animals or animal products suspected or confirmed to be infected with avian influenza, or exposed to highly contaminated environments by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

Additional information on personal safety

Handling sick animals

  • wash your hands and clean your boots before and after handling sick animals
  • use only specifically designated clothes and footwear when dealing with sick animals
  • promptly remove and restrict access to carcasses
  • if possible, dedicate worker(s) to exclusively care for and handle sick animals
    If this is not possible, always handle healthy animals first

If a sick bird or other wildlife is found on or around your property, additional guidelines are available from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): Wildlife and avian influenza – Handling guidelines to protect your health.

Response to detections in cattle versus poultry

Our response to detections of HPAI in cattle is different from detections in domestic birds. Although the virus is the same, cattle respond differently to the virus.

HPAI spreads rapidly between birds and leads to high mortality rates. This represents significant health risks in birds, resulting in negative impacts to trade of live poultry and poultry products. Cattle show milder signs, with only a small proportion of the herd being affected. Cattle typically recover within 1 to 3 weeks and there are no impacts to trade of live cattle or their products.

Our role in HPAI in cattle is to provide scientific guidance and diagnostic assistance and to report internationally.

For more information, consult the CFIA's response to a positive case section in the Guidance for private veterinarians.

Guidance for participation in United States agricultural exhibitions to mitigate the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Canadian cattle

Due to the presence of HPAI (H5N1) in the United States dairy cattle population, the CFIA advises against all Canadian cattle travelling to and participating in agricultural exhibitions in the U.S. at this time. For more information, read the advisory.

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