A commercial poultry farm in Quebec’s Lanaudière region has reported an outbreak of avian flu, prompting swift action from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The H5N1 avian influenza virus was detected on January 31 at a farm near Saint-Jean-de-Matha, approximately 100 kilometers north of Montreal. In response, the CFIA has established a primary control zone to curb the spread of infection.
This marks the first avian flu outbreak of 2025 after cases began appearing in wild birds across Quebec in April 2022. Last November, two Quebec poultry farms also reported infections. To date, 58 locations in the province have been impacted, affecting 1,465,500 birds. British Columbia, by comparison, has recorded 220 cases, with over eight million birds infected, along with Canada’s first confirmed human case of the virus.
A 13-year-old girl in Canada was placed on life support last November after contracting avian flu, spending two months in the hospital before being discharged. Meanwhile, the U.S. reported its first human fatality from the virus last month in Louisiana.
Dr. Donald Vinh, an infectious disease expert at McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), warns that avian flu spreads rapidly and can be devastating to both birds and mammals. He emphasizes the importance of strict containment measures, noting that Canada’s ability to mobilize rapid responses has been crucial in controlling outbreaks. Vinh also highlights concerns over two strains: B3.13, which spreads among mammals, and D1.1, which poses a greater risk to humans.
In a proactive move, the Public Health Agency of Canada recently secured 500,000 doses of GSK’s avian flu vaccine, prioritizing individuals at high risk of exposure, particularly those working in agriculture.
Source: Swifteradio.com
