Notice to Industry: Detection of high pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in an exhibition farm in Canada

December 22, 2021

On December 20, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of high pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI), subtype H5N1, at a multi-species exhibition farm in the Avalon Peninsula on the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador, which produces birds that are not for sale.

As a member nation, Canada must report this finding to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH; founded as Office International des Épizooties (OIE)). As the infected birds were located on an exhibition farm, the detection is considered a non-poultry detection and, as per WOAH guidance, Canada's 'free from AI' status remains in place.

With Canada's 'AI free' designation still in place, trading partners should feel reassured that existing measures do not warrant the imposition of any additional restrictions. As such, trade impacts on Canadian industry as a result of this detection should be minimal.

In an abundance of caution, the CFIA has placed the exhibition farm premises under quarantine and established a 10 km control zone with movement control measures and enhanced biosecurity for farms within the area to limit any potential spread of the disease on the premises or elsewhere on the island.

In light of this situation, Canadian poultry owners are being reminded to take an active role in protecting their flocks by employing strict biosecurity measures on their property and immediately reporting any signs of illness to their veterinarian.

For more information on measures poultry farms can take to protect their flocks from Avian Influenza, please visit the Avian Influenza page on the CFIA website.