Animal Health & Biosecurity

This morning CFIA released a notice to industry to provide information on a pilot project modifying the way Primary Control Zones (PCZs) are established for cases of avian influenza (AI) in the Fraser Valley Regional District of British Columbia. This project only applies to this specific region; in all other regions of Canada, the process of declaring PCZs will remain the same.

On December 4, 2024, amendments to the Compensation for Destroyed Animals Regulations were published in Canada Gazette, Part II  (CGII). Due to newly added provisions, the title of the regulations has been updated to Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations (CDATR).

CFIA has launched a new biosecurity campaign page, specifically tailored to support small-scale farmers and producers in safeguarding their animals and farms. Whether managing a hobby farm, a small-scale operation, or simply owning a few farm animals, these resources provide easy-to-follow steps to keep their animals and farm safe from diseases.

Canada is currently in the sixth wave of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) since the H5N1 outbreak began in December 2021. The current wave has also included one confirmed case of the H5N2 strain. To date, the genotype B3.13 found in U.S. dairy cattle has not been detected in domestic flocks in Canada.

In the past few weeks, 17 new cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have been confirmed in Canada (16 in British Columbia and 1 in Saskatchewan). The feed industry plays an important role in mitigating its spread and is encouraged to review their biosecurity protocols.

Animal Health Canada collaborated with a working group of several provincial chief veterinary officers, industry, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Public Health Agency of Canada to create guidance documents for organizers and exhibitors to help prevent highly pathogenic avian influenza spread to cattle.

Animal Health Canada worked with the Dairy Farmers of Canada to create a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) biosecurity infographic for dairy farmers that highlights biosecurity, prevention, surveillance and containment recommendations.