The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says as of July 16, 2024, no traces of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus have been detected in Canadian dairy retail products.
The CFIA has tested 911 samples total from across Canada, split into four regions: Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, and Western Canada.
All tests have been negative for HPAI fragments. The U.S. experience with the disease shows that fragments of the virus can be detected in milk and milk products if the milk is from an infected cow. These virus fragments are not infectious, however.
CFIA laboratories carried out a study in May and June 2024 on the effectiveness of pasteurization to inactivate HPAI virus in milk. Consistent with similar studies published internationally, the results showed that pasteurization is effective, says CFIA in its latest update on HPAI in dairy cattle.
HPAI remains a reportable disease. Farmers who suspect a cow may be infected should contact their veterinarian. As of the latest report, no cattle in Canada have tested positive for HPAI, CFIA says.
As for HPAI in chickens or turkeys, the CFIA has not reported any new cases on commercial farms since February 2024 in Alberta. There is only one active control zone in the country, surrounding a non-commercial case that was discovered in Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake in Saskatchewan last November.
Related: HPAI tests for lactating cows entering Canada makes sense, says CCA
