The state’s second outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in 2024 was declared this week at a commercial poultry farm in Mountain View County.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported on Monday, February 19, that an outbreak was confirmed southeast of Olds.
On Wednesday, February 21st, the Executive Vice President of the CFIA declared the establishment of a Primary Control Zone (PCZ) around poultry farms.
As a result of this declaration, birds, their products and by-products, and items exposed to birds may not enter, enter, or pass through the PCZ without permission from a government agency.
Avian influenza viruses can be divided into two categories based on the severity of the disease they cause in birds: low pathogenicity (LPAI) viruses and highly pathogenic (HPAI) viruses. Highly pathogenic viruses can cause severe illness and death in birds.
Avian influenza viruses, such as the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus present in Asia, can rarely cause disease in humans.
The agency did not provide details such as which species, how many birds were infected, or how many died. It is located in an area where mass infections have occurred in the past.
This is the second outbreak in the state since the start of 2024.
The first specimen was detected on February 9th at a non-profit backyard poultry farm in Vermilion River County.
According to the World Animal Health Organization, 84 of the 90 susceptible birds were found to be infected, and all 84 died. Six birds were killed and culled.
The PCZ is still in effect on the affected properties.
In 2023, there were 20 outbreaks in Alberta, but none in Mountain View County.
In 2022, there were 60 outbreaks in Alberta, seven of which were in Mountain View County.
