We need agricultural intelligence to protect against the threat of avian influenza

As of early March, 30 poultry operations in Canada were dealing with avian influenza outbreaks: 16 in B.C., 10 in Ontario, and one each in Alberta, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Health Minister Mark Holland, in regard to avian influenza, said, 'The proactive steps we are taking, including securing vaccine doses, reflect our commitment to being prepared for any potential public health threats,' in a Public Health Agency of Canada press release on Feb. 19, 2025.The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

Opinion

BY ISG SENATOR PAULA SIMONS

March 13, 2025

When Canadian farmers talk about the threat of AI, they’re not talking about fear of robots. They’re talking about H5N1: highly pathogenetic avian influenza.

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