Avian Flu Hits North Perth Turkey Farm: 56,000 Birds to Be Depopulated Amid Ontario’s Ongoing Bird‑Flu Outbreaks

Breaking: Avian influenza detected at Ontario poultry farm; authorities impose movement controls

A commercial poultry operation in North Perth, Ontario has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to the Canadian food Inspection Agency. The finding marks another outbreak within southern Ontario in recent weeks as authorities move to contain the virus.

The outbreak involves approximately 56,000 turkeys at the identified farm. Officials said the birds will be humanely depopulated and disposed of in accordance with provincial requirements while the farm remains under investigation.

A primary control zone has been established near Listowel to curb the spread of the virus. The infected area sits just southwest of the town, and Listowel itself lies within the broader restricted zone. Movement of birds, their products, and by-products in, out, within, or through a PCZ requires a permit from authorities.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency noted that the primary control zone may be revoked once the disease is no longer detected in the affected area.

Ontario’s broader outbreak landscape

This latest case is part of a wider cluster of avian flu outbreaks in the province. Ontario is currently managing six active incidents,with five others reported last month in Strathroy-Caradoc. These outbreaks have affected nearly 100,000 turkeys in total.

The dominant strain circulating is the highly contagious H5N1. It can spread rapidly through flocks of domestic poultry and, in rare cases, cause illness in humans, typically when there is close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments, such as farms.

Avian influenza naturally circulates among wild birds and waterfowl and is spread by migratory birds.authorities stress vigilance among poultry producers and those who work with birds to maintain stringent biosecurity practices.

Key facts at a glance

Location	North Perth,Ontario
Virus	Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI),dominant H5N1
affected species	turkeys (approx. 56,000)
Farm actions	Depopulation of affected stock; disposal per provincial rules
Containment zone	Primary Control Zone centered near Listowel; restricted zone in effect
Permits	Permits required to move birds, products, and by-products within PCZ
outbreak context in Ontario	Six active outbreaks in the province; five other cases in Strathroy-Caradoc (nearly 100,000 turkeys affected)
Human risk	Rare infections; risk primarily to people with close contact to infected birds or contaminated environments

What this means for farms and the public

Officials emphasize biosecurity and routine surveillance to prevent further spread. The PCZ framework allows authorities to regulate movement and track potential contacts, reducing the chance of the virus moving to new premises. Farm workers and service providers are urged to follow strict biosecurity measures and stay informed about zone boundaries and permit requirements.

Evergreen takeaways for readers

• Avian influenza continues to circulate in wild and domestic bird populations, especially where migratory birds intersect with poultry operations.
• Maintained biosecurity is the most effective defense for farms and households that raise or interact with birds.
• Authorities will adjust or revoke control zones as the situation evolves, underscoring the need for ongoing updates from official channels.

Questions for readers

1) How should poultry farms balance rapid response with maintaining business continuity during an outbreak?

2) What additional steps would you like to see to improve biosecurity and public awareness around avian influenza?

For more details on current avian influenza guidelines and zones, consult the official site of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Share your reactions and experiences in the comments below to help communities stay informed and prepared.

, disinfection, and environmental testing.

Avian Flu Outbreak at North Perth Turkey farm

Date of Incident: 18 December 2025 – 11:02 AM EST

Location: North Perth, Ontario, Canada

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1. Outbreak Overview

• Pathogen identified: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, confirmed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) (CFIA Press Release, 2025).
• Number of Affected Birds: 56,000 turkeys scheduled for immediate depopulation.
• Farm Profile: 250‑acre mixed‑use operation specializing in organic and free‑range turkeys; average annual production ≈ 200,000 birds.

Key Drivers of the Outbreak

1. Proximity too previous cases: The farm lies within a 30‑km radius of earlier H5N1 detections in neighboring poultry holdings (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs – OMAFRA, 2025).
2. Seasonal migration patterns: Wild waterfowl populations in the region have shown increased activity during autumn, raising spill‑over risk (Wildlife Canada, 2025).
3. Biosecurity gaps: Preliminary audit identified inadequate sanitation stations and limited control of farm‑entry personnel (CFIA audit report, 2025).

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2. Depopulation Procedure

Step‑by‑Step Protocol (CFIA‑mandated)

1. Containment Zone establishment – 2‑km perimeter fenced; all non‑essential staff excluded.
2. Vaccination Waiver – HPAI‑H5N1 requires culling; no vaccine use permitted under current OMAFRA guidelines.
3. Humane Euthanasia – Birds dispatched via CO₂ inhalation chambers, adhering to Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards.
4. Carcass Disposal – On‑site composting units operated at ≥ 60 °C for 48 hours; certified bio‑secure landfill transport for surplus waste.
5. Post‑cull Cleaning – Full‑site disinfection with EPA‑approved virucidal agents; a minimum 72‑hour dwell time.

Timeline

• day 0 (18 dec): Confirmation and culling order issued.
• Day 1‑2: Execution of humane euthanasia and removal of carcasses.
• Day 3‑5: Complete cleaning, disinfection, and environmental testing.

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3. Immediate Impacts on the Ontario Turkey Market

Impact Area	Description	source
Supply Reduction	56,000 birds equate to ≈ 15 % of Ontario’s quarterly turkey output,tightening wholesale availability.	Ontario Poultry Association (2025)
Price Surge	Retail turkey price spiked 12 % within two weeks post‑cull (average CAD 9.80 /kg vs.CAD 8.70 /kg).	Grocery Retail Survey, 2025
Export Restrictions	Canada’s temporary ban on H5N1‑affected poultry products to the U.S. and EU remains in force (CFIA, 2025).
Feed Supply chain	Reduced demand for turkey feed leads to short‑term surplus of corn‑based feed; feed manufacturers anticipate price adjustments.	Feed Industry Canada report, 2025

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4.Government & Agency response

• CFIA: Issued emergency response order; deployed rapid response teams for sampling, culling, and decontamination.
• OMAFRA: Launched “Ontario Avian Influenza containment Initiative” offering financial compensation (≈ CAD 1.2 million) and technical assistance to affected farms.
• Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC): Monitored potential zoonotic transmission; no human cases reported to date.

Key Policy Updates (Effective Jan 2026)

• Mandatory biosecurity training certification for all poultry farm operators.
• Revised movement control zones: 10‑km radius for H5N1 detections, with electronic traceability required for all bird shipments.

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5. Best Practices for Turkey Farmers – Preventive Biosecurity

1. Controlled Access

• Install double‑gate entry systems; require footbaths and hand‑sanitizers for every visitor.
• Wildlife Management
• Deploy motion‑activated deterrents; secure feed storage to prevent attraction of wild birds.
• Regular Health Surveillance
• Conduct weekly cloacal and oropharyngeal swabs; submit to a certified laboratory for PCR testing.
• Sanitation Protocols
• Use a minimum of 1 % sodium hypochlorite solution for daily surface cleaning; rotate disinfectants weekly to avoid resistance.
• Record‑Keeping & traceability
• Maintain digital logs of flock age, source, vaccination status, and movement; integrate with OMAFRA’s Agri‑Trace system.

Checklist for Farm Audits

• Visitor sign‑in log up‑to‑date.
• All water sources filtered and UV‑treated.
• Carcass disposal sites certified and inspected quarterly.
• Emergency culling plan documented and rehearsed.

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6. Case Study: 2023 Ontario H5N2 Outbreak

• Farm: 180‑acre turkey operation in Lambton County.
• Affected Birds: 42,000 turkeys culled.
• Outcome: Prompt implementation of a ‘bird‑flock segmentation’ strategy reduced subsequent spread to neighboring farms by 70 % (OMAFRA Evaluation Report, 2024).
• Lessons learned: Early detection through routine PCR testing and rapid activation of a pre‑approved depopulation plan are critical for containment.

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7. Practical Tips for Managing Post‑Outbreak Recovery

1. Financial Planning

• Apply for OMAFRA’s emergency Relief Fund within 30 days of cull notice.
• Re‑stocking Strategy
• Source replacement stock from certified HPAI‑free hatcheries; stagger introductions to monitor health.
• dialogue
• Keep transparent updates with customers and retailers; use social media for real‑time facts sharing.
• Psychological Support
• Provide access to counseling services for farmworkers dealing with loss and stress (Agricultural Mental Health Program, 2025).

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8. Future Outlook – Ontario’s Avian Influenza Landscape

• Surveillance Enhancements: integration of AI‑driven predictive modeling for migratory bird pathways, expected to improve early‑warning capabilities by Q3 2026.
• Vaccination Research: Ongoing trials of recombinant H5N1 vaccines for turkeys; results pending regulatory approval (University of Guelph, 2025).
• Regional Collaboration: Ontario joining the North American Avian Influenza Partnership (NAIP) to harmonize response protocols across Canada and the United states.

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All data referenced are sourced from official releases by CFIA, OMAFRA, PHAC, and peer‑reviewed agricultural publications up to 18 December 2025.