OFFLU Statement on Outbreak of H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Newfoundland, Canada

The recent detection of an H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus in Newfoundland, Canada represents the first identification of goose/Guangdong/1/96-lineage (Gs/GD/96) H5 HPAI virus in the Americas since June 2015. This is cause for concern for wild birds, zoological collections, and poultry in the Americas. Some east coast states of the United States of America (USA) are home to very large poultry populations that could be at risk of exposure and outbreaks in the next few months. This finding raises concerns about the potential of this virus becoming established in the Americas within migratory and resident birds.