On Feb. 3, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of high pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H5N1, in a smaller commercial turkey flock in western Nova Scotia. Initial tests for the disease were conducted on Jan. 30 by the CFIA, after the farm experienced sudden deaths of birds over several days. A backyard flock, along with a wild goose, also were confirmed with H5N1 HPAI in Nova Scotia just two days prior.

This week the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a commercial turkey flock in Dubois County, Indiana. It is the first confirmed case of HPAI in commercial poultry in the United States since 2020.

In addition to the announcements from APHIS and Canada, the United Egg Producers have been made aware of additional wild waterfowl findings in Florida and Maryland bringing the total number of positive hunter harvested waterfowl to over 70 in the Atlantic flyway. The UEP says this indicates that the presence of HPAI is widespread in the flyway and must be assumed to be across the United States.

The CFIA has notified the World Organization for Animal Health of the positive HPAI finding. To control any potential spread of the disease, the CFIA has placed the premises under quarantine and is establishing a control zone with movement control measures and enhanced biosecurity for other farms within the zone.

CFIA says this situation serves as a strong reminder that HPAI is spreading across the globe in wild birds as they migrate to and from Canada, and that anyone with poultry or other susceptible birds should practice good biosecurity habits to protect them from animal diseases.

Producers must be vigilant and assume that any and all wild waterfowl in your area are HPAI-positive and dropping the virus wherever they fly and land.