Alberta, Canada - Avian flu in poultry 2024-2025

[Commonground]

Calgary's Butterfield Acres Petting Farm closed due to cases of avian influenza: AHS

October 19, 2025

CALGARY – Primary Care Alberta (PCA) was notified on October 16th, 2025, of nine poultry cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at Butterfield Acres in Foothills County located at 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd NW, Calgary, AB, which operates a petting farm.

The facility was voluntarily closed from October 13 - 17, 2025. On October 17th, 2025, AHS issued a formal closure order for the facility. The facility will remain closed until the conditions of the order are met and until public health inspectors and medical officers of health have deemed it safe to reopen.

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Individuals with symptoms

If you have experienced fever, cough, sore throat, or other flu-like symptoms and visited the farm between October 6 - 12, 2025, it is recommended you isolate at home, and call Health Link at 811 for assessment and testing. When calling 811 select Option “2” and then Option “1.”

Symptoms of Avian Influenza

Symptoms of avian influenza can range from very mild to severe, depending on the specific virus. The most common symptoms include:

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle/body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting (rare)

Individuals without symptoms

If you do not have symptoms, you do not need to call 811. Continue to monitor your health. If you visited Butterfield Acres between October 6 - 12, 2025 and develop symptoms within 10 days of visiting, it is recommended you isolate at home and call Health Link at 811 for assessment and potential referral for testing.

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Health Link to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing 811.

Primary Care Alberta is a made-in-Alberta solution to improve access to the primary care services Albertans rely on. By delivering coordinated services, Primary Care Alberta allows for valued healthcare professionals to do what they do best ─ care for you. Together, we are creating a future where compassionate, timely and effective healthcare is available to every Albertan at every stage of life.

https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page19457.aspx

[Michael Coston]

Canada: Alberta Petting Zoo Closed For HPAI H5 - Recent Visitors Asked to Monitor For Symptoms


Credit Wikipedia


#18,915

While the risks to recent visitors are likely low, yesterday Alberta Health Services released the following health advisory, after a local petting zoo (Butterfield Acres) was closed for HPAI (presumably, H5N1).

Visitors to the farm between October 6th and the 12th are asked to monitor for - and report - any flu-like symptoms for the next few days. Anyone who is symptomatic should isolate at home, and call Health Link at 811 for assessment and testing.

First the link to the Health Advisory (and accompanying FAQ), after which I'll have a brief postscript.

Avian Influenza at Butterfield Acres Petting Farm

October 19, 2025

CALGARY – Primary Care Alberta (PCA) was notified on October 16th, 2025, of nine poultry cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at Butterfield Acres in Foothills County located at 254077 Rocky Ridge Rd NW, Calgary, AB, which operates a petting farm.

The facility was voluntarily closed from October 13 - 17, 2025. On October 17th, 2025, AHS issued a formal closure order for the facility. The facility will remain closed until the conditions of the order are met and until public health inspectors and medical officers of health have deemed it safe to reopen.

While HPAI primarily affects birds, rare human infections have occurred through close contact with infected animals. The risk to the public remains low. However, individuals who visited the petting farm between October 6 and October 12, 2025, are asked to consider the following recommendations:

Individuals with symptoms

If you have experienced fever, cough, sore throat, or other flu-like symptoms and visited the farm between October 6 - 12, 2025, it is recommended you isolate at home, and call Health Link at 811 for assessment and testing. When calling 811 select Option “2” and then Option “1.”

Symptoms of Avian Influenza

Symptoms of avian influenza can range from very mild to severe, depending on the specific virus. The most common symptoms include:

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle/body aches
• Headache
• Sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
• Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting (rare)

Individuals without symptoms

If you do not have symptoms, you do not need to call 811. Continue to monitor your health. If you visited Butterfield Acres between October 6 - 12, 2025 and develop symptoms within 10 days of visiting, it is recommended you isolate at home and call Health Link at 811 for assessment and potential referral for testing.

Anyone with questions or concerns can contact Health Link to speak to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by dialing 811.

Primary Care Alberta is a made-in-Alberta solution to improve access to the primary care services Albertans rely on. By delivering coordinated services, Primary Care Alberta allows for valued healthcare professionals to do what they do best ─ care for you. Together, we are creating a future where compassionate, timely and effective healthcare is available to every Albertan at every stage of life.

(Continue . . . .)


Since most of the visitors who might have been exposed are nearing the end of their expected 10-day incubation period, hopefully this will turn out to be a non-event.

Of course, mild cases may have already occurred - but are not yet reported - and workers at the farm have presumably been exposed far more recently. We'll probably know more a week from now.

The concern is that children - the primary demographic for attending petting zoos - have historically been at greater risk of contracting HPAI H5 than adults.

They are not only more likely to become infected, they are more likely to suffer severe disease. And it has become nearly a cliché that exposure to poultry is usually cited as their likely source of exposure.

The CDC's recommendations for visiting animal exhibits is pretty clear about the risks, even before adding HPAI to the mix. A few of many outbreaks we've covered include:

• We've seen numerous large outbreaks of Salmonella linked to Easter Chicks, and backyard poultry (see here, here, and here).
• In 2019 we followed an outbreak linked to a petting zoo in San Diego (see 10 Confirmed, 1 Probable E. coli STEC Cases Linked To County Fair), which resulted in the death of a 2-year old boy.
• While in 2012's That Duck May Look Clean, But . . . we looked at an outbreak of Salmonella Montevideo involving 66 persons across 20 states linked to the handling of live poultry (baby chicks or ducklings or both) sold via mail-order hatcheries and agricultural feed stores.

The CDC describes the increased risks from petting zoos:

Petting zoos

Every year, many people get sick after visiting an animal exhibit. From 2010-2015, about 100 outbreaks of illness in people linked to animals in public settings like zoos, fairs, and educational farms were reported to public health officials. Some of the most common harmful germs people get from animals at exhibits are E. coli, Cryptosporodium, and Salmonella.

The incursion of HPAI H5 into North America in late 2021 added yet another layer of risk to what once was considered a fairly innocuous endeavor; taking kids to a petting zoo.

Children - along with the elderly, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals - are considered at greatest risk; with the CDC advising that children under 5 not touch or handle poultry at all.

While the CDC is undoubtedly citing `best practices', good luck with taking a 4 year-old to a petting zoo and then telling them they can't pet the ducks.

We've seen similar warnings issued about visiting agricultural exhibits at state and county fairs (see CDC: Updated Guidance to Help Prevent Spread of Flu at Agricultural Fairs).

The risks - while still low - appear to be greatest during the fall, winter, and early spring, when avian flu activity is typically at its peak.

After a relatively quite summer, over the past 6 weeks we've seen a huge increase in HPAI outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry in both the United States and Canada.

While I dislike the phrase `the new normal', as long as HPAI H5 continues to circulate at high levels, this is likely to remain our new reality.


https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/...losed-for.html

[Michael Coston]

Canada: Calgary Zoo Closes Some Venues Over Bird Flu Concerns - Butterfield Acres Update





Distance Calgary Zoo to Butterfield Acres 12 mi

#18,916

Yesterday, in Canada: Alberta Petting Zoo Closed For HPAI H5 - Recent Visitors Asked to Monitor For Symptoms, we looked at a public health advisory issued after a local petting zoo (Butterfield Acres) was closed for HPAI.

Although we are seeing some delayed reporting - particularly here in the United States - it is apparent that avian flu has returned earlier than usual - and in force - both here in North America and in Europe.

Last year Canada went a full 6 months - (April 10th - Oct 21st) without reporting a single HPAI outbreak in poultry, but their CFIA has already reported 20 outbreaks since September.

Overnight the Calgary Zoo - which is located just 12 miles from the petting zoo (see map above) discussed yesterday - announced the precautionary closure of several exhibits; citing recent detections of HPAI in `close proximity' to the zoo.

Protecting our Birds: Viewing Updates Effective October 21

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in close proximity to the zoo. The health and well-being of the animals in our care remains our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re proactively implementing the following measures to protect our avian species:

• The Rainforest Aviary and the Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary are closed;

• All birds have been moved indoors, where possible, and may not be viewable (including Chilean flamingoes, ostrich, African grey-crowned cranes, greater rheas, whooping crane, red-crowned cranes, Dalmatian pelicans, and peacocks); and

• The indoor habitat at Penguin Plunge remains open with increased pathway disinfection and disinfectant mats at the entrance.

By limiting access to our beloved birds, we’re helping to protect them from potential contamination from outside the zoo. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to keep the animals we all care about safe.

Meanwhile, CBC News is reporting (see AHS testing people in relation to bird flu outbreak at petting farm, Calgary Zoo taking precautions) that:

"Alberta Health Services (AHS) has confirmed 12 people have been referred for testing and all “symptomatic workers” at Butterfield Acres Petting Farm are being tested after nine cases of Influenza A H5, commonly known as the avian flu, were identified in poultry."

At this time, no positive cases have been announced. Hopefully we'll get additional information in days ahead.

https://afludiary.blogspot.com/2025/10/canada-calgary-zoo-closes-some-venues.html

[Pathfinder]

The Calgary Zoo's Post

The Calgary Zoo
18h ·
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https://www.facebook.com/thecalgaryzoo/posts/pfbid027DVrQFPRjvicwuFox3rPJpwPCfa7q161FcanTPkVjUhReezdvCC7mAfmFCFz3RXdl?rdid=gg49blAJYFmDvoEC#

[Pathfinder]

Translation Google

People tested after bird flu cases in animals in Calgary

Radio-Canada
Posted yesterday at 8:06 PM CDT

The Alberta Health Services (AHS) Agency has confirmed it has invited 17 people, including 10 children, to get tested for bird flu after nine animals at a Calgary petting zoo contracted the H5N1 virus.

These animals are from the Butterfield Acres educational farm, located in northwest Calgary.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has clarified to CBC/Radio-Canada that the subtype detected on the site was the H5N1.

Accordingly, AHS ordered the official closure of the establishment, which had briefly ceased operations voluntarily last week.

So far, no human cases have been confirmed.

Of the tests conducted, three were negative, and the remaining tests are ongoing. All those tested were visitors to the farm.

AHS also said it would test all farm workers with flu-like symptoms and was investigating visitors and employees who developed symptoms after visiting the site between October 6 and 12.

.Migratory birds at the origin?

According to Craig Jenne, a professor of microbiology at the University of Calgary, migratory birds could be the source of this virus outbreak.

He stressed that the situation was particularly worrying because the outbreak occurred in an environment designed for human contact.

"What really struck me was that it is currently circulating, or at least present, on a farm whose sole purpose is contact with humans."
A quote fromCraig Jenne, professor of microbiology at the University of Calgary

The professor also discussed the risk, though rare, of genetic reassortment if the avian flu virus and a human flu virus were to infect the same person. They can exchange genetic material and give rise to a completely new virus , he explained.

Calgary Zoo takes preventative measures

In response to the outbreak, the Calgary Zoo announced it was taking preventative measures after theCFIAconfirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic virus near the establishment.

All birds, including Chilean flamingos, ostriches, grey-crowned cranes, rheas, whooping cranes, red-crowned cranes, Dalmatian pelicans, and peacocks, have been moved indoors.

The Rainforest Aviary and Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary are temporarily closed, while the penguin habitat, Penguin Plunge, will reopen with enhanced disinfection protocols.

A real global problem

Dr. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious disease specialist, recalled that theH5N1constitutes a real global problem with a significant impact affecting food production, egg production, as well as many wild and domestic birds and some other species, notably cows .

However, she tempered concerns by saying that serious human infections remain rare and the virus does not spread easily between people, which currently rules it out as an imminent pandemic threat.

L'AHS recommends that people who visited Butterfield Acres between October 6 and 12 monitor themselves for symptoms such as fever, cough, or conjunctivitis.

If you experience symptoms within 10 days of your visit, you are advised to self-isolate and contact Health Link at 811 for an assessment.

Further information is available on the AHS website.

Based on information from Jennifer Lee and Rukhsar Ali

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2201298/grippe-aviaire-h5n1-calgary-ferme-enfants-tests

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5229

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Investigations and orders of avian influenza in domestic birds by province
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https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/investigations-and-orders

[Commonground]

Published Oct 27, 2025

No humans infected amid avian flu outbreak at Butterfield Acres: Primary Care Alberta

Twenty recent visitors to Butterfield Acres were referred for testing through Health Link and no cases of avian flu were detected
A popular petting zoo just outside northwest Calgary limits remains closed after positive cases of avian flu were reported among its animals earlier this month. Article content

And humans who visited the farm amid the outbreak appear to have avoided contracting the illness, according to Alberta Health Services.
-snip-

Of the 20 individuals referred for testing, 10 were children, the spokesperson said, adding the remainder were adults who visited the farm from Oct 6 to 12.

“Eighteen individuals tested have been negative to date and no further testing is required,” the spokesperson said in a statement.


Continued: https://calgaryherald.com/news/seeki...terfield-acres

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Investigations and orders of avian influenza in domestic birds by province
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https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/investigations-and-orders

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Investigations and orders of avian influenza in domestic birds by province
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https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/investigations-and-orders

[Pathfinder]

Investigations and orders of avian influenza in domestic birds by province
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https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/investigations-and-orders

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The Calgary Zoo
18h ·
Avian Flu Update Our Animal Care, Health & Welfare (ACHW) team has downgraded our Avian Influenza threat level.

Please note the following changes effective today:
All birds have outdoor access if they choose and if weather permits
The Rainforest Aviary and the Jihad Shibley Rocky Mountain Aviary are open
Penguin Plunge and the Rainforest Aviary continue to have foot baths at entrances for guests to use
Our dedicated ACHW team will continue to monitor the situation and prioritize the health and well-being of the animals in our care. Thank you for your understanding and continued support as we work to keep the animals we all care about safe.

https://www.facebook.com/thecalgaryzoo/posts/avian-flu-update-%EF%B8%8F-our-animal-care-health-welfare-achw-team-has-downgraded-our-a/1242436581260977/

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Investigations and orders of avian influenza in domestic birds by province
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https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/investigations-and-orders

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5229

[Lance]

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5250

[Pathfinder]

Investigations and orders of avian influenza in domestic birds by province
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https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/avian-influenza/latest-bird-flu-situation/investigations-and-orders