Alberta currently has several municipalities experiencing confirmed cases of avian influenza in poultry operations. This currently includes Athabasca County.
There is an extremely low risk to human health and no risk to food safety. The disease can be spread to farmed flocks during wild bird migratory season. Wild birds, especially waterfowl, are natural reservoirs of influenza viruses. They are not normally affected by the disease, but can still transmit it to domestic birds.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is managed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Alberta Agriculture Forestry and Rural Economic Development. HPAI is a reportable disease, so if you suspect or confirm a case in your flock, you must report it to the provincial and federal authorities.
Resources:
- Government of Alberta – Clinical signs, control and monitoring, and how to report
- Government of Canada – How to prevent and detect disease in small flocks and pet birds
