Alberta’s poultry farmers prepare for spring migration after a surge in avian flu cases last year
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Spring begins with the return of the geese, but for many in Alberta’s poultry industry, migration means something different.
Reflecting on last year’s avian flu season worst in yearsmanufacturers like wetaskiwin-area Turkey farmer Scott Olson is being cautious.
“I’m very conscious of not going into a swamp or anything where there are migratory birds hanging out, and then going into our facility,” Olson said.
“Given the nice weather we’re seeing, the swans will be here soon.”
The damage caused by avian flu is nothing new to Olson: He has experienced three outbreaks since 2022. The most recent outbreak occurred last fall, and all three cases caused the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to cull their birds.
“It happens in one barn, and a day or two later it will move to another barn,” Olson said.
“When you contact the CFIA, they want all birds off the premises to prevent the spread of avian influenza.”
The avian flu outbreak has resulted in the death of more than 2.5 million birds in Alberta and 17 million birds across Canada since December 2021.
Avian influenza is spread naturally by wild birds. It is spread through saliva and feces, which can contaminate water and soil when birds fly over them or have direct contact with the ground.
A domestic cat in the United States has died after eating raw pet food and becoming infected with H5N1 bird flu. Epidemiologist Dr. Christopher Labose tells CBC News the risk of any individual pet getting avian flu is still low, but the concern is that the easier it becomes for it to infect different types of animals, ‘ultimately the easier it will be for this virus to infect humans.’
For farmers like Olson, precautions to avoid avian flu include biosecurity measures such as setting up controlled access zones around and within barns, strictly controlling who and what enters each barn, and thorough cleaning and disinfecting where necessary.
Olson’s strict rules also include dedicated boot rooms for changing into barn-specific coveralls, shoes and gloves before entering the facilities.
During peak migration season, he will also limit access to the farm to essential vehicles and restrict visitors to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
“HHopefully I’m not contaminating anything going in, and I’m not bringing anything back out,” Olson said.
Increase in avian flu cases last year
In Alberta, 26 cases of avian influenza were confirmed in flocks last year.
“One in May was associated with spring wild bird migration, and the rest from September to December, which was associated with fall migration,” a provincial Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation The spokesperson said in a statement.
This is a significant increase compared to 2024, when only six cases were confirmed.
It will become 20 in 2023 and 60 in 2022.
These trends also match CFIA records of wild animals found infected with avian influenza in Alberta: cases recorded in wildlife peaked in 2022, with 257 animals infected, followed by 254 cases last year. Only 48 animals were confirmed infected in 2024.
Terrin Girard of Prairie Livestock veterinarians says the fluctuation in the number of cases between 2022 and 2025 is likely related to migratory bird activity.
“A“Weather patterns are changing, there could be more mixing of migratory birds or there could be further changes in migration patterns,” he said.
Girard said the decline in cases from record highs in 2022 could be explained by major improvements in avian flu mitigation measures since then.
“WWhen it first came to Alberta, there was a lot of concern around it,” she said. “Over the years, it has become more manageable. Everyone has a role. They know what to expect.”
Girard says the commercial industry has adapted as it has learned more about avian flu, including biosecurity measures like Olson’s.
Officials have confirmed cases of avian influenza at a commercial poultry facility in Strathcona County, and another facility in Leduc is under investigation. It is the latest series of bird flu cases in the province following a recent outbreak of bird flu at a zoo in Calgary. Kathy Mager is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alberta who researches avian influenza.
“Last year’s cases are a strong reminder to Alberta’s livestock producers of the importance of strict biosecurity measures and early detection through close monitoring of their animals, particularly during the wild bird migratory season,” the provincial government said in its statement.
“Given the increased spread of the virus in wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese and the spread into domestic flocks that we saw in the fall, many producers may want to review their biosecurity practices, procedures and training in preparation for spring migration.”
9 cases confirmed in Canada this year
There have been no confirmed cases of avian influenza in Alberta so far in 2026, but that is not the case for the rest of Canada.
The CFIA has confirmed nine cases so far this year: three each in British Columbia and Nova Scotia, two in Quebec and one in Ontario.
two cases in wild life — A skunk in Ontario and a bald eagle in British Columbia — It was confirmed in January.
“The continued detection of (avian influenza) in both wild and domestic birds in Canada is a strong warning for anyone raising birds to remain vigilant,” a federal government spokesperson said in a statement.
