Ontario avian flu cases could rise as birds continue migrating north, CFIA cautions

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning there could be a rise in avian flu cases in Ontario as birds continue migrating north after the winter.

“It is a devastating disease for commercial or poultry operations,” Dr. Mary Jane Ireland, the CFIA’s chief veterinary officer, told CityNews during an interview on Tuesday.

“Infected birds can shed avian influenza in their saliva, their nasal secretions, their feces, and it can also spread through contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus from infected birds like clothing, shoes, litter, feed and water.”

The comments came after the agency confirmed two poultry flocks in southwestern Ontario, including one in the Waterloo region, saw a high number of deaths. The cases aren’t believed to be connected, but Ireland said both are likely linked to wild migratory birds. The last time avian flu, better known as bird flu or H5N1, was detected in Ontario was in 2015.

“Because the disease is in migratory birds … we expect we will find other situations of avian influenza and that’s why it’s very important right now with these migratory birds to take all the measures,” she said.

However, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador started seeing cases at the end of 2021 and at the beginning of 2022. There are also at least 18 states in the United States and parts of Europe dealing with confirmed instances too.

News of the Ontario cases prompted The Toronto Zoo to temporarily shut its doors to visitors at its aviary areas and zoo staff will be taking increased precautions to protect the birds at the facility.

There were also some fears the positive cases could result in some form of a ban on importing poultry products to other countries.

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RELATED: Avian flu detected in 2 southern Ontario poultry flocks

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Ireland said not all wild birds may show signs of the disease, but commercial and domestic birds are particularly susceptible to high numbers of disease and death.

Lisa Bishop-Spencer, the director of brand and communications with the Chicken Farmers of Canada, told CityNews a 24-hour command centre made up of farmers, processors, feed suppliers, veterinarians and other stakeholders is tracking and responding to avian flu cases as those are confirmed.

“They are constantly on guard and keep an eye on, and reporting, and testing and running all kind of drills just to ensure that they are ready for these kind of situations, and now we’re in a situation where they’re applying this knowledge,” she said.

Bishop-Spencer also said farmers have been taking precautions such as restricting on-site access, cleaning truck wheel wells and regularly changing footwear while on the property.

“Ontario is Canada’s largest province in terms of production of these poultry and egg products, and so we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to guard that supply and maintain the trust of Canadians in the products we sell,” she said.

“The effects are quite devastating if it gets into a flock, so it’s not a question of just sort of trying to monitor which birds get it. This is trying to monitor which flocks get it, so we want to make sure that we try to keep it out if it’s out and keep it in if it gets in.”

A statement issued by staff at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on Monday said avian flu is not a risk to food safety but impacts chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese and guinea fowl.

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

“Avian influenza is not a public health concern for people that are not in routine contact with infected birds. People working with poultry should take additional precautions and are strongly encouraged to follow all public health guidelines and maintain strict biosecurity.”

Ireland said on rare occasions the virus can affect humans and it is almost always acquired through direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Of those human cases, she said most are limited to mild respiratory disease.

Meanwhile, Ireland pleaded for vigilance in protecting against the transmission of the avian influenza virus while also avoiding handling sick or dead birds.

“It is extremely important for bird owners, and that includes those with backyard flocks no matter what the size or species as well as commercial poultry producers, to have very strict biosecurity measures in place for their property,” she said.

Ireland also shared the following tips:

• Keep poultry, domestic birds, coops away from areas frequented by wild birds like water and feeders
• Regularly clean water, feeders, coops, clothing
• If introducing new birds, keep the birds separate for a while to monitor health
• Monitor the signs and report suspected cases to CFIA immediately