The CFIA confirmed the detection on Sept. 10
An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Manitoba is Canada’s first in months.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the detection on Sept. 10 on a commercial poultry operation in the Rural Municipality of De Salaberry.
Agriculture is the community’s second-largest industry, the Economic Development Council of Bilingual Municipalities of Manitoba’s website says.
The infected zone includes areas of Provincial Road 200 and Road 14N, Provincial Road 200 and Road 15N, Road 9E & Provincial Trunk Highway 23, and Provincial Trunk Highway 23 and Provincial Road 200, the CFIA’s map shows.
This recent outbreak is Canada’s first since May.
Canada had six outbreaks that month, with Alberta and Saskatchewan each having three.
Of those, only the one in the Rural Municipality of Usborne in Saskatchewan occurred in a non-commercial non-poultry setting.
Currently, six premises in Canada are reported as infected with bird flu.
Another 650 were previously infected, and it’s estimated more than 17.5 million birds in Canada have been affected by bird flu since December 2021.
Saskatchewan accounts for the most current infected premises with three. And B.C., with 279, is the province with the most previously infected premises.
HPAI is a federally reportable disease, and suspected cases of the illness must be reported to the CFIA.
The disease can also spread to other animals too.
In 2024, for example, dairy cattle in the U.S. became infected with HPAI.
Canadian poultry producers are encouraged to exercise high levels of vigilance as migration season is underway.
Chicken Farmers of Canada’s website includes multiple tips for producers to help keep their flocks safe and what to do if they suspect HPAI.