Avian flu found at western Quebec commercial poultry farm

Avian flu has been found at a commercial poultry farm in western Quebec and about 30 people are off work while the operation is sterilized, the local mayor says. 

"We are very surprised. We know it is a company that is careful in its procedures, in its protocols," said Saint-André-Avellin Mayor Jean-René Carrière in a French interview with Radio-Canada.

"We felt spared. We had a feeling of being safe, then we realized that no one is safe. If there are regions that have been spared until now, redouble your efforts: you never know when [the flu] will arrive in your area."

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported the case on Jan. 3.

It's the first instance of avian flu being detected in the Outaouais since the resurgence of bird flu across Canada in 2022, according to the CFIA's records.

The poultry farm where the flu was detected did not respond to interview requests from Radio-Canada. 

'Extremely worried'

The poultry farm in the town roughly 80 kilometres northeast of downtown Ottawa is one of only four premises in Quebec currently hit with the flu. 

Most of the other 57 outbreaks are in British Colombia. There are no infected premises in Ontario.

Saint-André-Avellin falls within the regional municipality of Papineau, where Benoit Lauzon is the warden.

He told Radio-Canada he's worried because there are other poultry operations, including hobby farms, nearby.

"Having spoken with some [owners], they are extremely worried about how they should handle this situation," Lauzon said in French.

"That's why we absolutely want to speak with [local health authorities] who will give us the right information to tell people how they must protect their animals and protect themselves."

Rarely infects humans

According to Quebec's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, avian flu is rarely transmitted from birds to humans.

When it is transmitted, the virus usually infects people who work in close contact with poultry in environments such as farms, slaughterhouses or live poultry markets.

No sustained transmission between people has been observed. The CFIA says avian influenza is not a significant public health concern for healthy people who aren't in regular contact with infected birds.

The virus can make birds very sick, causing symptoms like coughing, sneezing and erratic behaviour.

The agency says people should stay away from any birds that appear to be sick and call them or a local veterinarian with any concerns.