Amherstburg, Ontario: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has resurfaced in Canada’s commercial poultry sector, marking the second confirmed commercial outbreak of 2026.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), HPAI was confirmed on February 19 in a commercial poultry flock in Amherstburg, Ontario. Authorities have not disclosed the type of poultry affected or the number of birds involved.
Second Commercial Case of the Year
The most recent case follows an earlier confirmation on January 15, when a commercial poultry farm in Les-Jardins-de-Napierville Regional County Municipality, Quebec, tested positive for HPAI.
So far, the Ontario and Quebec detections remain the only two confirmed cases in Canada’s commercial poultry sector in 2026.
Additional Non-Commercial Detections
Apart from the commercial cases, three additional HPAI detections have been recorded this year in flocks classified as “non-commercial” and “non-poultry.” Two such cases were reported in Nova Scotia on February 17 and February 4, while another was confirmed in British Columbia on January 8.
Under international animal health guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), infections in non-commercial flocks do not impact international poultry trade status. This distinction is significant for maintaining export continuity and protecting Canada’s poultry market access.
A Look Back at 2025: Significant Losses
Canada experienced substantial losses to HPAI in 2025. A total of 82 commercial poultry flocks were affected nationwide. Provincial breakdown of the cases is as follows:
- British Columbia: 31 flocks
- Alberta: 16 flocks
- Ontario: 15 flocks
- Manitoba: 7 flocks
- Quebec: 7 flocks
- Saskatchewan: 6 flocks
The continued presence of HPAI in North America highlights the ongoing biosecurity challenges faced by poultry producers and animal health authorities.
Industry Impact and Monitoring
While only two commercial cases have been recorded in Canada this year, authorities remain on alert. Surveillance, rapid reporting, and strict biosecurity protocols remain central to preventing wider spread.
The poultry industry continues to closely monitor the evolving situation across both Canada and the United States, where HPAI activity has also persisted in recent years.