Swabbing mixed breed rooster to test for avian influenza. ID 73195903 © Dorothy Merrimon Crawford | Dreamstime.com

By Glynn Brothen

threat on radar

Poultry producers on alert after avian flu infects three Saskatchewan flocks

May 7, 2025 | 6:00 AM

No commercial poultry farms in Saskatchewan have encountered avian flu yet, but recent cases in backyard flocks have prompted heightened awareness with producers who are ensuring they’re up to date on biosecurity measures.

Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan’s executive director Michael Kautzman said this is the time of year to prepare as migratory birds return to the Prairies. It’s been quiet the last few years, but the amount of cases this season is more than before.

“Being this early in the year, that kind of gets your back up. It gets you a little bit worried that it’s going to be just one of those years where we actually do see some cases,” he said.

The three infected premises are mainly confined to the province’s southeastern flank, which is typical for migration patterns, Kautzman said. It’s where the virus spreads that will provide a clearer picture on its possible mutation and the proper response to contain it.

But, as with any virus, borders are non-existent.

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“It’s always a concern that it might spread; it’s always a possibility,” he said. “As soon as you get a case in the province, you know it’s here. Wild birds have no boundaries.”

Ensuring biosecurity is in effect and efficient is one component: communication is another. Kautzman said farmers and farming groups within the province and across the country are routinely corresponding on infection status in their respective areas.

Avian flu overall

Dr. Allison McGeer, an infectious disease expert at the University of Toronto, said beyond the spread between farms, researchers are closely watching for avian flu transmission in humans.

November 9 marked Canada’s first human case when a teenage girl became infected In British Columbia. The virus, which first presented as a case of aggressive influenza, eventually led to respiratory distress. She was hospitalized in the intensive care unit, on life support. Two months later, the teen was released from hospital.

McGeer said many are working hard at surveillance to get the most warning possible when a human is infected. Globally there are no cases of human to human infection but avian flu has been detected in pigs and cattle in other parts of the world, with transmission and symptoms differing among species.

“Every day we go without other cases in humans is a good day. If we get two or three weeks out and we haven’t heard of any other human cases, then it’s not going to be the next pandemic. Then we know that probability is minuscule,” she said.

McGeer said a lack of infection in Canada’s agricultural workers is a testament to the enduring surveillance of producers, reduced transmission, and swift management of outbreaks when they occur.

“That’s not been the case in the United States. I think that’s a credit to Canadians involved in this,” she said.

“The relative size of our dairy farms make a difference. U.S. dairy farms are much larger than Canadian dairy farms and they have much more interchange of cattle and I think that poses a big risk. I think the relationship between the USDA and the regulators in the industry in the United States has been really flawed so farmers have been unwilling to talk about what might be outbreaks on their farms; workers have been reluctant to get tested. I think (there’s) a lot of issues about undocumented workers. Going to get tested for flu is fine if you’re legal, but if you’re not legal that’s different.”

“I think we probably do better at cooperation in general in Canada than perhaps the Americans do. But I think the lesson hopefully for all of us in this is this is something we need to be in together. It’s all of us putting our heads together to say how do we do this so the outcome is better for people and animals.”

SaskMilk confirmed surveillance continues to ensure the spread to dairy cattle doesn’t happen.

“No cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been detected on Canadian dairy farms to date. However, given its ongoing spread in several US states, prevention remains crucial,” the organization said, in part.

“Dairy Farmers are continuing to maintain a high standard of Biosecurity and Animal Care. SaskMilk has been working very closely with Dairy Farmers of Canada, SaskAg and CFIA to continue to develop our response plan should there be any HPAI cases detected in Saskatchewan or Canada. Prevention and protection of the farm are at the forefront of planning.”

In February, Canada’s Public Health Agency secured 500,000 doses of a vaccine for avian influenza. Of that amount, 60 per cent will be made available to provinces and territories with 40 per cent to remain in a federal stockpile for national preparedness.

In the interim while risk is relatively low, McGeer said a seasonal flu vaccine can help reduce the risk of a mutated virus.

“One of the things we worry about is that if I get infected with a bird strain or the cattle strain at the same time I have seasonal flu, that is an opportunity for those viruses to have sex. Out of recombination, you get the possibility of new viruses,” she said. “Each one of us that [gets vaccinated] will reduce the risk that some poor person’s gonna be the place that viruses have sex that starts the next pandemic.”

For more information on avian influenza and its symptoms, click here.

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glynn.brothen@pattisonmedia.com