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November 09.2025

2 Minutes Read

How Tracking Avian Flu Impacts North American Wildlife Significantly

Tracking the Avian Flu Crisis: A Growing Concern for North American Wildlife

Since its initial detection in Newfoundland in 2021, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5Nx) virus has wreaked havoc across North America, affecting both domestic and wild bird populations. With close to 15 million poultry losses in Canada alone, the scope of this crisis extends far beyond farms, infiltrating ecosystems and threatening numerous wild species.

The Dramatic Impact on Wildlife

Throughout the continent, avian influenza has led to staggering mortality rates among wildlife. In 2022, approximately 40,000 wild birds were confirmed dead from HPAI in eastern Canada. This includes significant losses among species like the northern gannet, common murre, and common eider. Notably, the outbreak has hit harder in the United States, where over 180 million birds have been affected, prompting urgent action from wildlife and health agencies.

Wildlife Surveillance: A Collaborative Effort

To better understand this virus's impact, Canada established the Interagency Surveillance Program for Avian Influenza in Wildlife in 2005. This extensive network includes organizations like the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Together, they monitor at-risk species, with recent data revealing that HPAI A(H5Nx) has been found in 41 such species across the ten Canadian provinces.

Citizen Involvement: The Power of Reporting

Public participation plays a critical role in tracking wildlife health. By reporting sightings of sick or dead birds, citizens contribute vital information that enhances the understanding of disease spread in remote areas. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of community engagement in wildlife disease monitoring.

Protecting Public and Environmental Health

The implications of HPAI extend beyond wildlife; it presents a potential risk to livestock and human health. Despite the lack of sustained human-to-human transmission, the virus has led to severe cases in humans—one notable instance involved a teenage infection in British Columbia that required medical intervention but thankfully resulted in recovery.

Conclusion: Why This Matters

The presence of HPAI highlights an urgent need for integrated health monitoring systems that respond to public health, livestock safety, and wildlife conservation. For communities and individuals, understanding the interconnectedness of health among humans, animals, and ecosystems is essential in reducing the risk factors associated with emerging infectious diseases.

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