Avian influenza (bird flu)
Response to detections of avian influenza in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently responding to cases of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in farmed birds across Canada. This serves as a strong reminder that avian influenza is spreading across the globe, and that anyone with farm animals must practice good biosecurity habits.
HPAI is not a food safety concern. There is no evidence to suggest that eating cooked poultry or eggs could transmit HPAI to humans.
The Public Health Agency Canada provides advice on precautions to be taken when handling wild birds.
Environment and Climate Change of Canada provides information on avian influenza in wild birds, including where cases of avian influenza have been confirmed in Canada and where to report dead wild birds.
You may not bring live birds, bird products and by-products from states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza into Canada
Poultry and birds (including pet birds) and some poultry products are restricted from travelling in some states and may not be brought into Canada. This restriction also applies to all raw poultry and poultry products and by-products that are not fully cooked (including eggs and raw pet foods), sourced, processed, or packaged from restricted zones in states that are affected by the H5N1 outbreak.
Avian influenza (AI), commonly known as "bird flu", is a contagious viral infection that can affect several species of food producing birds as well as pet birds and wild birds. AI viruses can be classified into 2 categories: low pathogenicity (LPAI) and high pathogenicity (HPAI) viruses, based on the severity of the illness caused in birds.
Avian influenza viruses, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus present in Asia, may, on rare occasions, cause disease in humans. Transmission to humans has occurred through close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments.
In Canada, highly pathogenic avian influenza and low pathogenicity H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses are considered to be Notifiable Avian Influenza, which is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. All cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Facts about avian influenza (bird flu)
- Fact Sheet – Avian Influenza
- Flocks infected with Avian Influenza in Canada
- Canada's plan for emergency prevention, preparedness and response to an outbreak of Avian Influenza
- The path to revoking a primary control zone
Information for the livestock sector and producers
- Bird flu surveillance in Canada
- Cleaning and disinfection process for premises declared infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza
- Animal Health Compensation – What to expect when an animal is ordered destroyed
- Import measures for live birds to prevent the introduction of Avian Influenza in domestic birds
- Poultry biosecurity
- Reports on previous disease incidents in Canada
Information for bird owners
- Protect your flock from bird flu
- Pets and highly pathogenic strain of H5N1 Avian Influenza
- Requirements for birds imported from countries other than the United States
- 5 Rules to prevent and detect disease in small flocks and pet birds
- What to expect if your birds are infected
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