Highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle: Guidance for private veterinarians

For guidance on reporting suspected cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in cattle and detailed procedures for collecting and submitting samples, follow these instructions. This guidance will be updated regularly as the situation evolves, so ensure to check back frequently for the most current recommendations.

HPAI has not been reported in dairy cattle or other livestock in Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is monitoring the situation closely. For more information, refer to Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock and Facts about avian influenza.

On this page

• Clinical signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle
• Transmission
• Personal safety
• Biosecurity
• CFIA's response to a suspect case report
• Collecting and submitting samples
• Sampling guidance
• CFIA's response to a positive case
• Related links
• Appendix – Provincial reporting requirements and contact information

Clinical signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza in cattle

Based on recent HPAI detections in the United States, affected dairy cattle are most commonly in the second lactation or greater and more than 150 days in milk. There have been no reports of HPAI in beef cattle at this time. Clinical signs of HPAI infections that have been reported in dairy cattle in the U.S. include:

• sudden decrease in milk production
• colostrum-like consistency of milk with no other signs of mastitis
• negative or trace positive California Mastitis Test result
• decreased feed intake
• decreased rumen motility
• fever more or less present

Veterinarians must contact their local CFIA district office and, where required, the provincial Chief Veterinary Officer if they suspect HPAI infection in cattle. Criteria include:

• clinical presentation consistent with the signs described above, without an alternative diagnosis
• the discovery of dead animals (for example, birds) on the premises
• potential for feed or water contamination by wild birds
• recent introductions into the herd

Transmission

The method of HPAI transmission to cattle is under active investigation and has not been confirmed. At this time, wild birds are believed to be the initial source of infection. While there is no evidence of direct nose-to-nose transmission between animals, fomites such as milking equipment, boots, and clothing are believed to play a role in transmission between animals.

Personal safety

Avian influenza viruses, such as the highly pathogenic A(H5N1) currently circulating in wild birds in Canada, can, on rare occasions, cause disease in humans. Canada has never reported a locally acquired case of HPAI A(H5N1) in a person, and the risk of avian influenza transmission to humans remains low.

People in contact with animals, including cattle and animal products, suspected or confirmed to be infected with avian influenza, or those exposed to highly contaminated environments, should take extra precautions to protect themselves by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). This equipment includes face masks, goggles, gloves, coveralls and boots. Boots, coveralls and other reusable PPE should be fully cleaned and disinfected between farms. Disposable gloves and face masks should be discarded on farm in a sealed bag.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has more information for people in contact with potentially infected animals or heavily contaminated environments: Infection prevention recommendations for individuals involved in animal outbreak situations.

Additionally, PHAC has partnered with the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety on advice on how to protect against avian influenza at work. For more information, please visit How to protect yourself from avian influenza A(H5N1) at work.

Biosecurity

To prevent exposure and spread of HPAI in cattle, producers and veterinarians should continue to follow good biosecurity measures, such as those outlined in the National Biosecurity Standards (Animal biosecurity). Dairy producers are required to adhere to biosecurity plans outlined in Dairy Farmers of Canada's proAction program.

In addition to emphasizing the value of good routine biosecurity practices to their clients, veterinarians are encouraged to highlight the following best practices:

• to prevent HPAI introduction onto a farm:
  • minimize and restrict wild bird access to cattle and their environment including feed and water sources
  • avoid bringing new animals onto the farm
  • 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 21 days
  • completely clean and disinfect the livestock trailer if moving cattle from other herds
• For herds where HPAI is suspected in cattle:
  • take personal safety precautions as outlined above
  • re-enforce good milking practices, such as equipment disinfection and milking sick cattle separately or last
  • isolate sick cattle from the herd
  • avoid housing multiple species together; where other species are kept on the same premises, particularly birds or pigs, emphasize the need for biosecurity measures between different species on the farm
  • limit animal movements as much as possible within the farm
  • do not consume raw milk or feed it to other animals on farm

For further information on biosecurity practices to keep livestock safe, contact your provincial Chief Veterinary Officer.

CFIA's response to a suspect case report

CFIA will collect basic information including premises location; species, signalment or history of suspect animal(s); presence of other livestock species on the premises; and reason for HPAI suspicion. CFIA may share this information with the Chief Veterinary Officer in your province.

CFIA staff will provide guidance on sampling and information on where to submit samples for testing.

Get the most up-to-date information on HPAI in livestock.

Collecting and submitting samples

Private veterinarians are responsible for sample collection for suspect cases of HPAI in cattle. Private veterinarians may send samples to a Canadian Animal Health Surveillance Network (CAHSN) laboratory that is approved to test samples in domestic animals. These are the same laboratories that have been testing poultry samples during the current H5N1 HPAI outbreak. For more information on approved CAHSN laboratories, contact your local district office.

Sampling guidance

Sample up to 10 clinically affected animals in a herd. From each animal collect:

• 1 composite raw milk sample: sample all four quarters and collect up to 10 mL aseptically into a sterile plastic specimen container with a secure lid (for example, screwed)

  Record the individual cow identification number directly on the sample container.

• nasal swab (synthetic fibre swabs only) in Universal Transport Medium (UTM): a single sterile swab can be used to sample both nostrils

  Ensure the mucosa in the nasal passage is brushed firmly with the swab. After sampling both nasal passages, agitate the swab gently in the UTM. Do not leave the swab in the UTM, but instead swirl the swab into the UTM tube and thoroughly squeeze out the fluid against the side of the tube and discard the swab. Each sample must be individually labeled with the cow identification number.

Samples must be refrigerated until they are submitted to the lab.

CFIA's response to a positive case

CFIA's response to detections of HPAI in cattle is different from the leading role CFIA plays for HPAI detections in domestic birds. Currently, CFIA's role for HPAI in cattle continues to be one of diagnostic support and international reporting. The CFIA is working with stakeholders, including the veterinary community, industry, public health authorities, and the provinces and territories, to coordinate a national response. The agency will continue to reassess its position as new information becomes available that may change the risk to animals, people or trade.

Related links

• Dairy – Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System
• Animal Health Canada Update – Animal Health Canada
• Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians
• World Organisation for Animal Health
• Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in livestock – Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Guidance on human health issues related to avian influenza in Canada (HHAI) – Public Health Agency of Canada
• Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) detections in livestock – U.S. Department of Agriculture

Appendix – Provincial reporting requirements and contact information

Provinces where HPAI is a provincial reporting requirement

Provinces where HPAI is not a provincial reporting requirement