Preventing Avian Influenza with Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt. Animal Health Insights, Ep. 15. May 6, 2022

Spring has sprung in North America – and with the return of these migrating birds, we see predictable waves of poultry infections with influenza. Each year there is the potential for different strains of this flu to impact the health of our egg and meat producing birds – whether they are raised in small backyard flocks or in commercial poultry production systems.

Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt – a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and professor of veterinary medicine at the Université de Montreal, is an expert in poultry health and biosecurity – and focuses on developing strategies to help to control the risk of infection with diseases such as Avian Influenza. He joins us in this episode to review actions and essential biosecurity steps to help maintain healthy flocks and minimize the chance of Avian Influenza infections on farm. 

Links of Interest:

• CFIA: Response to detections of avian influenza (H5N1) in Canada, and Information for Producers and Bird Owners
• CFIA: Avian Influenza Fact Sheet
• CFIA: Status of Avian influenza response by province
• Chicken Farmers of Canada: Avian Influenza Information and Resources
• Turkey Farmers of Canada: Avian Influenza, Just the Facts
• British Columbia (Centre for Disease Control): Avian influenza summary
• Alberta: Avian influenza in domestic birds, Updates
• Saskatchewan: News Release re: Avian influenza detection in Sask, Apr. 8, 2022
• Saskatchewan Health Authority: Avian influenza/Bird flu
• Manitoba: Avian influenza and your small flock FAQ
• Manitoba: Avian influenza updates
• Western Canadian Animal Health Network: Avian influenza resources and
• CAHSS/WeCAHN: Webinar for small flock producers and veterinarians
• Ontario (OMAFRA): Avian influenza updates, control zones, and webinar
• Ontario (Ministry of Health): Highly pathogenic avian influenza in people, FAQ
• Ontario Animal Health Network: Avian Influenza resources 2022
• Québec: Grippe aviaire
• MAPAQ: Grippe aviaire surveillance
• New Brunswick: Avian flu advisory in the Atlantic Provinces
• Nova Scotia: Avian influenza 
• PEI: Avian influenza information and updates