The province of Ontario continues to work with local, and other provincial, federal and international authorities to monitor and respond to ongoing cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
While HPEPH strives to update this web page with new information as soon as it becomes available, for the most up-to-date information on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), please visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Dashboard.
- HPAI H5N1 has been detected in Ontario in wild and commercial poultry. The spread of this virus has been primarily attributed to the migration of infected waterfowl.
- As if April 4, 2024, HPAI (H5N1) has been found in goats in Minnesota and dairy cattle in six US states (as). The virus can be detected in unpasteurized milk samples from infected cattle.
- As of May 22, 2024, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported that retail milk samples from across Canada have tested negative for influenza A(H5N1), indicating that there is no evidence of disease in Canadian dairy cattle.
Current status:
The risk to the public of catching the HPAI H5N1 virus from domestic poultry or products is very low. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) indicates there is no evidence to suggest that avian influenza A(H5N1) could be transmitted from eating thoroughly cooked beef or poultry. Cooking to recommended cooking temperatures should inactivate the virus, if it is present. However, people are discouraged from consuming undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products. The sale of unpasteurized table milk in Canada is prohibited.
To reduce your risk of HPAI:
- Cook all meat to recommended temperatures, and avoid undercooked meat and unpasteurized dairy products.
- Avoid direct contact with wild birds and other wild animals – observe them only from a distance.
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching any bird feeders, bird baths or any potentially contaminated areas.
- Consider removing backyard bird feeders and bird baths.
- If they can’t be fully removed, place them as far from family pets as possible and clean with a bleach and water solution (one-part bleach to nine-parts water) at least once every two weeks.
- Keep family pets away from birds and fecal matter. Keep cats indoors and dogs on a leash to limit the potential for an encounter with an infected bird.
- Do not attempt to rescue birds in distress, especially on any bodies of water.
If you suspect an animal is infected
- In Contact your local municipality and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative online or by calling 1-866-673-4781 to report a suspected case of HPAI.
- If you have a domestic animal and suspect HPAI – private veterinarians will need to assess the animal and may send samples to approved laboratories.
- HPAI is a contagious viral infection that can affect all species of birds but can, less commonly, infect mammals.
Handling animals suspected of HPAI
- If contact with a dead bird or animal is unavoidable, wear gloves, place the bird/animal in a doubled plastic bag and tie it closed. Avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces. You should then wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Disposing of animals that may have died from HPAI
- Bury (minimum one metre deep) or double bag dead birds and place in garbage for your regular garbage pick-up.
- Large numbers of dead wild birds should be managed as instructed by the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
Preventing and responding to symptoms
- If you become ill with influenza symptoms (e.g., fever, cough, sore throat) within 10 days after handling wild birds or other wildlife, see your health care provider. Inform your healthcare provider that you have been in contact with wildlife.
- As another layer of protection, HPEPH recommends that all residents get their annual flu shot. Although seasonal influenza vaccine does not prevent infection with avian flu viruses, it can reduce the risk of getting sick with human and avian flu viruses at the same time.
For additional information:
- Updated health information including PPE recommendations, on the Ministry of Health’s website.
- Testing information – Public Health Ontario
- Avian Influenza FAQ – Ministry of Health
- Avian Influenza in livestock information – Canadian Food and Inspection Agency
- Status of ongoing avian influenza response by province – Government of Canada
- Avian Flu detection dashboard – Canadian Food and Inspection Agency
- Wildlife and avian influenza – Handling guidelines to protect your health – Public Health Agency of Canada
