Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as H5N1 or HPAI, is a respiratory virus that continues to circulate in both domestic and wild birds. First detected in Canada in December 2021, HPAI has infected at least 60 species in Ontario and caused significant die-offs in some species.
Ongoing monitoring research by Environment and Climate Change Canada has detected HPAI in approximately 5% of hunter-harvested dabbling ducks, but less than 1% of hunter-harvested diving ducks and geese.
“Human cases of this disease are extremely rare, and no human infection has been attributed to the consumption or handling of apparently healthy wild birds,” OFAH Fish & Wildlife Biologist Matthew Robbins said. “However, once contracted, HPAI can be a very serious illness.”
To avoid unnecessary risk, the Public Health Agency of Canada encourages hunters to adhere to the following guidelines:
Found a sick or dead bird? Report it to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at 1-866-673-4781.
Trappers should be aware that scavenging animals like foxes, minks, and bears may also carry the disease and should be treated with similar caution.
Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2025 issue of Ontario Out of Doors
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