The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has placed seven poultry farms in southwestern Ontario under quarantine following an avian flu outbreak. The affected farms include four located near Ingersoll, two in Strathroy, and one in North Middlesex County. The initial cases were identified on December 14, 2024, and authorities believe migratory birds are responsible for introducing the virus to the region.
Avian influenza typically spreads through direct contact with infected wild birds or indirectly via contaminated water, soil, feed, or bird droppings. To contain the virus, officials recommend establishing a 10-kilometre control zone around infected facilities. This measure helps monitor and manage the movement of poultry and related products, ensuring regular testing to minimize further spread and meet international trade standards.
Farmers play a crucial role in early detection, notifying CFIA when unusual bird behavior, higher mortality rates, or other signs of infection arise. Once a farm is quarantined, strict protocols are followed, including euthanizing infected birds, thoroughly disinfecting facilities, and observing a mandatory 21-day infection-free period before restrictions can be lifted. The overall process of lifting a quarantine zone can take several months, depending on the situation.
As of January 6, CFIA reported that the current outbreak has affected over one million birds in Ontario. However, officials note that the province has shown improvement in managing and reducing transmission risks compared to previous years. Since December 2021, approximately 11 million domestic birds have been infected across Canada, with British Columbia experiencing the highest number of active cases.
In recent developments, a 13-year-old girl from B.C. who contracted avian flu in November is now recovering, and a pet food product linked to an H5N1-related feline death in the U.S. was recalled in B.C. last week.
Despite ongoing risks posed by migratory bird movements, biosecurity measures remain a top priority for both farmers and inspection agencies. Enhanced precautions, including strict sanitation and prevention protocols, have been credited with limiting the spread of the virus in heavily affected areas such as southwestern Ontario.
For up-to-date information, CFIA offers an online mapping tool that allows users to locate primary control zones using postal codes or addresses.
