The current avian influenza (AI) outbreak is the largest ever seen in Canada and the toll it has taken on both birds and people is immense. With hopes that cases continue to subside through the summer, both industry and government are working diligently to prepare for the fall and an expected increase in cases as birds migrate south for the winter.
Signs from Europe in late 2021 indicated that the virus circulating in wild birds was more virulent than in the past and cases were numerous in wild birds, small flocks, and commercial poultry in several countries. It was expected that North America could be similarly impacted, but the extent of the impact was unknown at that time.
Summary of the Canadian outbreak
The first commercial flock confirmed with AI in Canada was a turkey barn in Nova Scotia in early February. This followed from two cases in small flocks in Newfoundland that were confirmed in December 2021, and then in January. From there, first cases were confirmed in Ontario, Alberta, Quebec, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and New Brunswick in late March and April.
- Nationally, as of July 12, 2022, there have been 108 infected commercial and small flocks, representing just over 2 million birds. 82 were poultry flocks and 26 were ‘non-poultry’ flocks, according to the OIE definition where any operation selling products off the farm is considered poultry.
- The Atlantic provinces have not had a case since late April, Saskatchewan and Ontario since late May, and cases were last reported in B.C., Alberta, and Manitoba in early to mid-June. Quebec had a few new cases in early July.
- Small backyard flocks accounted for 50% of the confirmed cases but less than 0.5% of the affected birds.
- Among commercial farms, ducks and turkeys had the highest number of confirmed cases, followed by broilers, layers, and broiler breeders.
In every affected province, farmers and industry staff have stepped up to manage the disease response – adding this work to their already full ‘day jobs.’ The dedication and efforts of all involved has been remarkable, appreciated, and paramount to keeping the entire Canadian poultry sector functioning.
Government has of course played a leading role in the response, and reports from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) indicated that over 600 staff at some points were dedicated to the outbreak across the country. Chicken Farmers of Canada is grateful to our partners in government who have been involved, and for the productive and regular dialogue that has been facilitated through the national level calls several times a week.
This added workload has not been without consequence, however. It is recognized that this outbreak has had a tremendous strain on farmer mental health and on human resources in nearly all provinces, within both industry and government. Chicken Farmers of Canada has included links here to relevant resources for mental health support.
Summary of the U.S. outbreak
Avian influenza cases in the United States began in February, around the same time the first commercial case was detected in Canada. In total, as of July 12, 2022, the U.S. has had 385 confirmed cases, 228 of which are designated as poultry. Thirty-seven states and over 40 million birds have been impacted.
Preparing for the fall
Indications are that there will be an increase in cases again this fall as migratory birds head south for the winter. At the end of June, the National Poultry Group (CFC, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Egg Farmers of Canada, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, the Canadian Poultry and Egg Processors Council) and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada held an initial ‘lessons learned’ session with CFIA. The purpose of the session was to review aspects of the response that went well and discuss areas of opportunity or improvement for the next outbreak. A full report of that meeting was presented at the July CFC board meeting and the National Poultry Group will be following up with CFIA on the key items discussed.
These ‘lessons learned’ events will also be occurring at the provincial level with the Regional Emergency Operations Centres, to prepare for a potential increase in cases in the fall.
To stay up-to-date with wild bird surveillance results through the fall – CFIA’s National Emergency Operations Centre has an online dashboard which posts wild bird surveillance results from across the country.
