Notifiable Avian Influenza

Avian influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection that can affect several species of food producing birds as well as pet birds and wild birds. AI viruses can be classified into two categories: low pathogenicity (LPAI) and highly pathogenic (HPAI) forms, based on the severity of the illness caused in birds.

Avian influenza viruses, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus present in Asia, may, on rare occasions, cause disease in humans. Transmission to humans has occurred through close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments.

In Canada, highly pathogenic avian influenza and low pathogenicity H5 and H7 avian influenza viruses are considered to be Notifiable Avian Influenza, which is a reportable disease under the Health of Animals Act. All cases must be reported to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

• Reports on Previous Disease Incidents in Canada

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Information we provide for the general public includes:

• Avian Influenza Viruses Added to Reportable Diseases List
• Fact Sheet - Avian Influenza
  • Avian influenza and human health
• Overview of Avian Influenza Prevention, Preparedness and Response
• H7N9 virus and illnesses in China

Pet bird/backyard flock owners

• Fact Sheet - Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza and Pets
  • Requirements for Pet Birds Imported From Countries Other Than the United States
• How to Prevent and Detect Disease in Backyard Flocks and Pet Birds

Information we provide for producers and the livestock sector:

Prevention and Control Measures

• Avian Influenza Surveillance in Canada
  • 2013-09-11 - News release - Canada's Wild Bird Survey for Avian Influenza Underway
• Import Measures for Live Birds to Prevent the Introduction of Avian Influenza in Domestic birds
• Notifiable Avian Influenza Hazard Specific Plan
• Poultry Biosecurity
  • General Producer Guide - National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard
  • National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard

In the event of a disease incident in Canada

• Avian Influenza - What to expect if your animals are infected
• Animal Health Compensation - What to expect when an animal is ordered destroyed

Additional government and industry information:

• OIE - Update on Avian Influenza in Animals (Type H5)
  • North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza - PDF (3092 kb)