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Avian influenza

Avian influenza

Important

HPAI H5N1 avian influenza has recently been detected in unpasteurized milk from sick dairy cattle in the US. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has not detected bird flu in dairy cattle or livestock in Canada. The risk to the general public remains low, however, people should avoid consuming undercooked meat or poultry and any unpasteurized dairy products. The sale of unpasteurized table milk in Canada is prohibited.

For more information visit CFIA’s website: Animals susceptible to H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) - Canadian Food Inspection Agency (external link)

What is Avian influenza or “bird flu”?

Avian Influenza is a disease caused by a virus that mainly infects domestic poultry and wild birds, but can sometimes infect other animals, and in rare cases humans. Each year, there is a “bird flu” season and some forms of the bird flu are worse than others. Avian Influenza virus can be classified into two types:

  • Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI), most Avian Influenza viruses are low pathogenic. These cause little or no signs of illness in birds.
  • Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses can cause severe illness and death in birds.

For more information about Avian Influenza, visit Government of Canada’s Facts about Avian Influenza webpage.

Can people become infected with Avian influenza?

Yes, however the risk of Avian Influenza for the general public remains low at this time.

AI does not easily transmit from birds to humans. However, transmission to humans has occurred when people have had close contact with infected birds, other animals, or heavily contaminated environments. Most human cases of Avian Influenza have been traced to unprotected contact (such as no gloves, facemasks, respirators or eye protection, etc.) with infected poultry or their droppings.

Some examples of activities that may increase your risk of exposure and infection include:

  • Caring for infected birds and/or other animals on commercial and small farms or backyard flocks
  • Hunting, de-feathering, field dressing and butchering infected wild birds and other wild animals
  • Working with wild birds for activities such as research, conservation, or rehabilitation
  • Eating undercooked or uncooked poultry, eggs, or consuming unpasteurized dairy products.
  • Visiting animal farms or live animal markets

Have there been any domestically-acquired human cases of HPAI H5N1 in Canada?

The Public Health Agency of Canada has confirmed one domestically-acquired human case of HPAI H5N1 in a resident of British Columbia. There have been no domestically-acquired cases of HPAI H5N1 in Ontario to date.

Based on current evidence, the risk of AI infection for the general public remains low at this time. For more information visit Public Health Agency of Canada’s Update on Avian Influenza and Risk to Canadians (external link).

Can I be tested for Avian influenza?

In Ontario, people who are symptomatic and have had exposure to an infected bird or premise can be tested. Testing can be arranged through your health care provider.

Have there been any bird or other animal cases of HPAI H5N1 virus in Ontario?

HPAI H5N1 virus has been detected in Ontario, including in Halton region, in wild, commercial and small flock poultry (external link). It has also been sporadically detected in other animals such as raccoons, striped skunks, red foxes, cats and dogs. For more information visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Wildlife webpage (external link).

To date, there have been no infected cattle detected in Canada, including Ontario. In the United States, there have been cases of HPAI H5N1 infected cattle. For more information visit CDC's H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation (external link).

What precautions should I take and how can I protect myself?

While the risk of human infection with Avian Influenza viruses remains low, individuals should avoid direct contact with wild birds and observe them only from a distance, if possible. Wild birds can be infected with bird flu viruses without appearing sick.

Recommendations

  • Get your annual influenza vaccine
  • Avoid unprotected contact by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment when interacting with wild birds, other animals and their environment
  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water immediately after contact with animals and their environment
  • Cook meat thoroughly and avoid consumption of unpasteurized milk
  • Self isolate when ill and practice respiratory etiquette
  • Keep pets away from sick and dead animals, and avoid feeding them raw meat, raw milk or other products from game birds, poultry or other animals infected with Avian Influenza.

I work with birds. How can I protect myself?

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has information on Avian Influenza for workers (external link).

I’ve recently handled an ill bird or other animal. Is there anything I should do?

If you have handled a sick bird or other animal, monitor (10 days from exposure for birds and 14 days from exposure for other animals) for human symptoms of AI, which can range from very mild to severe:

  • fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose
  • muscle or body aches, headache, tiredness
  • conjunctivitis (red eyes)
  • shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or seizures.

If symptoms develop contact your healthcare provider to arrange testing. Notify your healthcare provider of your exposure history and symptoms in advance to ensure that appropriate precautions can be put in place.

Is it safe to consume meat, poultry and milk?

The risk of HPAI H5N1 transmission to the general public remains low, however people are discouraged from consuming undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products. As a general practice, proper safe food handling practices such as hand washing and keeping poultry and egg products separate from other food products to avoid cross contamination should be followed.

Thoroughly clean contaminated surfaces on tools and work surfaces with hot, soapy water and then disinfect the area using a household disinfectant.

Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before handling food, and after handling raw meat, poultry or eggs.

Guidelines for handling poultry or game bird meat

  • Cook pieces and cuts of game meat to an internal temperature of 71ºC (160ºF).
  • Whole birds should be cooked to an internal temperature of 82°C (180°F).
  • Do not feed uncooked or undercooked poultry or game bird meat to cats or dogs.

How can I protect my backyard poultry?

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs has information for small flock owners on preventing the introduction and spread of disease. These recommendations can be found on the Ministry’s Raise healthy small flock poultry (external link) webpage.

The Ontario Animal Health Network also has information on Avian influenza for backyard flock owners (external link).

I have pets. How can I protect them?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has information on  AI and pets (external link).

Who do I call to report if my backyard poultry are sick or dying?

If you suspect that your birds could have Avian Influenza, please call your veterinarian or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 226-217-8022, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST), or email cfia.ontsurveillanceanddiagnostics-survetdiagnostiques.acia@inspection.gc.ca.

Who do I call to report if my backyard poultry are sick or dying?

If you suspect that your birds could have avian influenza, please call your veterinarian or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 226-217-8022 , 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST), or email cfia.ontsurveillanceanddiagnostics-survetdiagnostiques.acia@inspection.gc.ca .

Are there specific mental health resources available for farmers?

The Ontario Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has a list of resources available to help farmers and their families on their Mental health resources for farmers webpage (external link).

What should I do if I find a dead wild bird(s)?

If you find a dead bird on public property, do not touch it and contact the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (external link) (CWHC). If CWHC is unable to retrieve the carcass, contact the municipal services listed below.

If you find a dead bird on private property, contact the Ontario Regional Centre of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (external link) (CWHC). If CWHC is unable to retrieve the carcass, you may choose to discard the dead bird as follows:

  • Always wear gloves when disposing of a dead animal.
  • Bury the carcass approximately two feet deep in a flowerbed or a non-vegetable garden.
  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
  • DO NOT place these items in the garbage, Blue Box or Green Cart, and DO NOT bring these items to the Halton Waste Management Site.

If you are unable to discard the dead bird safely, contact your local animal control services.

Local municipal services

Where can I get additional information?

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