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Québec, Canada - Avian influenza in backyard birds and poultry 2022-2026

Translation Google

Avian Flu: Culling of 60,000 Poultry at Brome Lake Ducks

By Jean-Luc Lorry, La Voix de l'Est
September 19, 2025 at 4:03 a.m.
...
The Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) received a call suspecting a case of avian influenza at a farm operated by Brome Lake Ducks.

Earlier this week, this case tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza.

The company has preemptively quarantined the site and is currently culling approximately 60,000 birds.

"This culling of the affected flock is underway, and this figure of 60,000 is preliminary. We will have definitive data within a few days," said Manon Racicot, Senior Veterinary Epidemiologist in the CFIA's Science Branch.
...
Since the beginning of September, the CFIA has recorded five cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in the country. Four cases in Alberta and the current case at Brome Lake Ducks in Quebec.

"This is a clear warning signal for farmers. Migratory birds are starting to arrive in Quebec."
— Manon Racicot, Senior Veterinary Epidemiologist in the Science Branch of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
...
In April 2022, this same company faced an outbreak of avian influenza at its Eastern Townships sites in Saint-Claude, Wotton, and Knowlton.

The Quebec duck farmer had to cull more than 200,000 birds and lay off nearly 300 employees.

Angela Anderson, General Manager of Brome Lake Ducks, stated at the time that it would likely take a year, and possibly several million dollars, for the company to recover from this situation.

Founded in 1912 on the west shore of Brome Lake by a New Yorker, Brome Lake Ducks is the oldest Pekin duck farm in Canada.

https://www.lavoixdelest.ca/actuali...ards-du-lac-brome-HG4C7NZ7UZFRTPJKMSKA7OB4EE/
 
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​https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5229
 
Translation Google​
A case of bird flu in Saint-Félix​


October 14, 2025 — News , Alerts

A case of avian influenza (H5 subtype) has been reported in Saint-Félix-de-Valois. On October 12, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported the first case in Saint-Félix-de-Valois and placed part of the municipality in an infested zone, as well as the entire territory in a restricted zone.
Grippe-aviaire-2025-10-14_V2-1024x576.png


To poultry owners

As a backyard or small bird owner, you should be aware that the risk of your birds contracting the avian influenza virus is currently high.

Both commercial and artisanal breeders must rigorously apply prevention and biosecurity measures. To this end, prevention visits have been suspended on the Municipality's poultry farms and inspection visits by the urban planning department are also suspended or by appointment as the case may be, in accordance with the directives of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency since a permit is required prior to a visit by the urban planning department to a farm located within 10 km of the primary control zone (PCZ).

The MAPAQ also recommends that owners of farmed birds:
  • To avoid any direct or indirect contact between farmed birds and wild birds by confining the birds in a closed building when possible, otherwise in an enclosure with a roof (e.g. net);
  • To avoid attracting wild birds by the presence of food, bodies of water or accumulation of water on the ground near the enclosure;
  • To clean and disinfect all vehicles or equipment before each entry or exit from the breeding site;
  • Limit access to the farm to authorized persons only and ensure that these persons comply with the biosecurity measures in force (keep a visitor register, if possible);
  • To avoid any contact between backyard farms and commercial farms (e.g. sharing of staff).
Consult the MAPAQ vigilance notice and display it in the henhouse.

Reporting

In case of unusual mortality or signs of illness, consult a veterinarian. If you cannot find a veterinarian, call 450 768-6763 to reach the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's hotline to report sick birds or 1 844 ANIMAUX to contact the MAPAQ's Central Reporting Office. If necessary, refer to the website: https://www.quebec.ca/agriculture-e...imales/liste-maladies-animales/grippe-aviaire

Historical

Since 2022, poultry farmers have been on high alert following announcements of avian influenza outbreaks across the country by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The virus (H5N1) appeared in Canada earlier this year and is also present throughout the United States. It is associated with high mortality, with more than 90% of infected birds dying. Bird migration periods are conducive to the spread of the disease from wild birds to commercial poultry.

Saint-Félix-de-Valois, poultry hub

The Municipality is one of the largest poultry production centers in all of Eastern America. Several million chickens, hens, eggs, and hatching eggs are produced annually in Saint-Félix-de-Valois. This activity has a major impact on the development and dynamism of the community. It is also the source of the Municipality's logo, which proudly displays the rooster as its emblem. The high concentration of this production requires certain measures. Indeed, poultry farms are very sensitive to the spread of avian influenza, salmonellosis, and campylobacteriosis. For example, the most recent episode of avian influenza contamination in Canada in 2015 led to a drastic adjustment of health control measures. This highly contagious disease causes high mortality in farms.


​https://st-felix-de-valois.com/2025/10/14/un-cas-de-grippe-aviaire-a-saint-felix/
 
Translation Google​

A case of bird flu in Charlevoix-Est

By Victor Carré 3:16 PM - October 16, 2025
Local Journalism Initiative

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported a case of avian flu on Wednesday in the Charlevoix-Est RCM.

According to producers contacted by Le Charlevoisien , the case was detected at a farm in Saint-Irénée. When contacted by our team, the owners of the farm in question said they were waiting for official confirmation.

A large part of the territory of the municipalities of Saint-Hilarion, Les Éboulements and La Malbaie has been placed in an infested zone and a portion of the territory of Saint-Irénée in a restricted zone, reveals a press release issued by the Quebec Poultry Disease Control Team (EQCMA).

Commercial and artisanal breeders must therefore, for the time being, apply rigorous prevention and biosecurity measures.
...

https://www.lecharlevoisien.com/2025/10/16/un-cas-de-grippe-aviaire-dans-charlevoix-est/​
 
Translation Google

Avian flu: a migratory bird to blame?

By Victor Carré 10:00 AM - October 17, 2025
Local Journalism Initiative

Charlevoix has recorded its first-ever domestic case of avian influenza, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed. Several theories are currently under investigation, but one may be more likely to be considered.

“It’s a time of year when we have to be a little more careful,” said Dr. Manon Racicot, senior veterinary epidemiologist for the CFIA, in an interview.

Indeed, the wild bird migration period can be a greater pretext for virus transmission. "Sometimes a bird shows no signs of carrying avian influenza. There is therefore a risk that it will carry the disease and transmit it to other species," explains Dr. Racicot.

The virus can be introduced into a flock when wild birds come into contact with domestic birds or their environment. It is transmitted directly through the secretions and droppings of the species.

The lower density of livestock producers in the region could help limit the spread of the flu. "But nothing should be neglected," the CFIA spokesperson said.

Samples taken on site were sent to laboratories in Quebec and Winnipeg to determine which branch of the disease was detected.

An order has been given to cull birds considered to have been in contact with the source of the virus, says Dr. Racicot, without specifying the number of birds affected.

https://www.lecharlevoisien.com/2025/10/17/grippe-aviaire-un-oiseau-migrateur-en-cause/
 
Translation Google​

Avian flu is gaining momentum in Quebec and is now affecting three regions

Quebec is the third most affected province in Canada by this potentially pandemic virus.

Mathieu-Robert Sauvé
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 3:30 PM
UPDATE Tuesday, October 21, 2025 3:30 PM

Farms in the Lanaudière, Estrie and Charlevoix regions have had to cull poultry infected with avian flu in recent weeks, a situation that Public Health is closely monitoring.

On October 12, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed a case of avian influenza at a farm in Saint-Félix-de-Valois, near Joliette. It then ordered the culling of 12,000 birds to prevent the virus from spreading. This is the third outbreak of infection this fall in Quebec, after Knowlton, in the Eastern Townships, and Rochette, in Charlevoix-Est.

"The birds are slaughtered humanely and are eliminated to avoid the risk of spreading the disease," Yohan Dallaire Boily, public relations officer at the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), told the Journal .

The affected municipalities are in "restricted zones," where all agricultural activity is under strict surveillance. These reports have made Quebec the third most affected Canadian province by avian flu in 2025 (1.4 million birds culled), after British Columbia (8.7 million) and Alberta (2 million).

3,000 workers vaccinated

The virus mutation is being constantly monitored by the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ). Although no human cases have been detected, 3,000 agricultural workers, veterinarians, animal technicians, and wildlife officers have had to be vaccinated as a precaution against this form of the flu in recent weeks.

While it's not unusual to see outbreaks in the fall—because the virus is carried by migratory birds—the early appearance of infected animals as early as September is a bad sign, Dr. Jean -Pierre Vaillancourt, a veterinarian with the Zoonoses Epidemiology and Public Health Research Group and professor at the University of Montreal, told the Journal . The first cases are usually seen in late October and November.

"The virus is present in our environment and could become endemic. We will therefore have to be careful," added the specialist, who was participating in an international meeting on avian flu in Rome.

In short, authorities fear the "biological turning point" that a mutation in a protein (the PB2 polymerase) could represent, which would facilitate the spread of the virus in human cells. By being contagious between humans, it could become a new pandemic.

Rare, but high risk

Human cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, as it is scientifically known, remain rare (fewer than 964 cases worldwide and only one in Canada). However, strains of this virus in Canada "could potentially infect humans," confirms Dr. Vaillancourt .

The message he wants to deliver to the people of Quebec: if you see dead birds, report them to the authorities and avoid touching them. "If people go to parks, especially near ponds, it's a good idea to wash their hands thoroughly when they get home," he recommends.

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2...-au-quebec-et-touche-maintenant-trois-regions
 
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