Question Period Note: Highly Pathogenic Avain Influenxa A (H5NX) in Canada

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KEY MESSAGES
• While the current risk to the public remains low, avian influenza can cause serious illness in people. Those exposed to infected animals and contaminated environments are at increased risk and should take precautions to prevent infection.
• The Government of Canada is being proactive and has obtained 870,000 doses of human vaccine against avian influenza for provinces and territories.
• Our Government will continue to enhance collective efforts in risk assessments, surveillance, response and coordination, import requirements, laboratory capacity, guidance and communications, science, and medical countermeasure to increase our readiness to protect the public.
IF PRESSED ON
Q1: How worried should the public be about avian influenza?
A1:
• Human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) are rare and almost always acquired through close contact with infected animals or heavily contaminated environments. People in close contact with infected animals or environments (e.g., farmers, veterinarians, hunters, wildlife workers) should take precautions to reduce risk of infection – working in a well-ventilated environment, using personal protective equipment, and frequent hand cleaning.
• When sick, individuals should reduce spread by staying home, isolating away from others, avoiding sharing spaces, wearing a well-fitted respirator or medical mask, practicing respiratory etiquette and frequent hand hygiene, improving indoor ventilation, and cleaning high-touch surfaces/objects.
Q2: Can humans get avian influenza from food?
A2:
• There is no evidence to suggest that eating thoroughly cooked food could transmit A(H5N1) to humans.
• We are conducting enhanced testing of Canadian milk to detect potential presence of A(H5N1) in Canadian dairy cattle. All milk samples tested so far have been negative for A(H5N1). Pasteurized cow’s milk remains safe to drink. Pasteurization is a requirement for sale of cow’s milk in Canada.
• Drinking raw or unpasteurized milk comes with an increased risk of exposure to several pathogens and serious illness.
Q3: Are there medicines available to treat or manage avian influenza infection in humans?
A3:
• Antiviral treatments are effective against currently circulating strains of A(H5N1).
• Our government, as well as provincial and territorial governments, maintain stockpiles of antivirals to help support equitable pan-Canadian access to a secure, government-controlled supply. There is a sufficient supply of recommended antivirals in Canada.
Q4: Does Canada have vaccines available to protect against avian influenza?
A4:
• To enhance Canada’s readiness, we procured 870,000 doses of an updated formulation of Arepanrix H5N1 vaccine from GSK Inc. This vaccine supply is part of Canada’s contingency planning to protect people who may be at increased risk of being exposed through animals infected with avian influenza. The vaccine doses are available for provinces and territories to order and use until February 2026.
• The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has provided preliminary guidance to assist provinces and territories in deciding if, when, and how to use human vaccines against avian influenza in a non-pandemic context.
• We are closely monitoring the evolving avian influenza epidemiological situation and will continue to evaluate the potential need for further procurement of vaccine doses.
Q5: Does Canada have the capacity to undertake large-scale testing for avian influenza, if necessary?
A5:
• Canada’s laboratory surveillance network of federal, provincial, and territorial governments is prepared to deal with emerging infectious diseases, including A(H5N1), and has the capacity to test thousands of samples per day.
• We are collaborating with the Canadian Public Health Laboratory Network (CPHLN) to ensure adherence to biosecurity and regulatory measures in laboratory facilities working with A(H5N1).

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• Canada has seen detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5Nx) among poultry flocks (commercial and backyard) across 10 provinces since late 2021. Since October 21, 2024, there have been over 115 HPAI A(H5Nx) infected poultry premises (commercial and backyard) reported in 9 provinces and one domestically acquired human case in British Columbia (November 2024), source unknown.

• Avian influenza has been detected in wild birds across Canada since late 2021 and has also been detected in wild mammals in 10 provinces and 1 territory since April 2022.

• Since early 2024, the United States has detected A(H5N1) in over 1000 dairy herds across 17 US states. There have been no detections reported in dairy cattle in Canada, and no detections through testing over 5,500 samples of bulk raw milk at processing plants across the country (as of September 5, 2025).