All quarantines and movement restrictions related to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Canadian poultry have now been lifted, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
WOAH issued a report concerning the change of status on October 17, just two days after the organization reported that all primary control zones (PCZs) have been lifted in Canada, but quarantines and movement restrictions were still in place in Saskatchewan.
In its most recent report, WOAH stated: “No new outbreaks of HPAI in poultry were detected. HPAI outbreaks are now closed and zoning restrictions were listed in all provinces. Movement restrictions and quarantines are released on all poultry-infected premises in all provinces.”
However, the H5N1 HPAI situation in Canada has not yet been declared resolved. WOAH still considers the situation “ongoing.” It was also stated that wildlife surveillance as well as the Canadian Notifiable Avian Influenza Surveillance System (CanNAISS) activities for poultry are ongoing in Canada.
The last case of HPAI in a Canadian commercial poultry flock was confirmed on February 19, while the last case in a backyard flock was confirmed on April 10.
The number of commercial poultry flocks in Canada that have been affected by HPAI in 2024 has been limited to four. Two of those were in Quebec, while one flock each in Alberta and Ontario were affected.
WOAH continues to have active reports of HPAI infections in wild birds, involving both the H5N1 and H5N5 serotypes. The last of such cases on H5N1 HPAI was confirmed in Quebec while the last cases of H5N5 were confirmed in Nova Scotia.
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
