Avian flu detected in 2 southern Ontario poultry flocks

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed two cases of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in two southern Ontario poultry flocks.

In a statement to CityNews Monday evening, CFIA officials say the first case was discovered at a farm on Sunday and the second case was confirmed earlier on Monday.

Both farms were placed under quarantine by the CFIA to control any potential spread of the disease and “movement control” measures were put in place. Officials recommended extra biosecurity measures at other farms in the area.

The highly pathogenic avian influenza, classified as H5N1, has been spreading in wild bird populations across the world, according to the CFIA, and has been a significant concern as birds migrate back to Canada.

There have been four reports of the avian flu in Nova Scotia in the last two months in both commercial and non-commercial settings. Newfoundland and Labrador also have been dealing with cases in the end of 2021 and earlier in 2022.

The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs statement said there is no threat to food safety and avian flu is not considered a public health concern for people that are “not in routine contact with infected birds.”

“Ontario poultry and eggs are safe to eat when, as always, proper handling and cooking takes place,” the statement said..

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Lisa Bishop-Spencer, a spokesperson with Chicken Farmers of Canada, told CityNews the organization is monitoring the movement of birds within the nearby “control zone,” and that the group and farmers are taking the risk of spread “very seriously.”

She noted the most recent discovery isn’t the first time avian flu has been detected in birds in Ontario.

“There is no way of telling exactly how the virus entered the farm. H5N1 occurs naturally in wild birds and Ontario is a known flyway,” Bishop-Spencer said.

“During normal times, poultry and egg farmers have very strict biosecurity measures in place. We take extra measures when there’s a risk like this – much like regular people do when they’re close to a virus.”

She said infection control measures include the testing and monitoring of birds, sanitizing vehicle tires before and after visiting properties, changing footwear when visiting properties, moving visits to an appointment basis and recording all visits to properties.

In a statement on their website, the Toronto Zoo said they are limiting access to the aviaries to only staff and  taking proactive steps to protect their birds from avian influenza.