The arrival of spring in Alberta is marked by the return of geese, but for many in the poultry industry, the seasonal migration brings concerns. Following a severe avian flu outbreak last year, turkey farmer Scott Olson from the Wetaskiwin area is being cautious. Olson, who has faced three avian flu outbreaks since 2022, emphasized the need to avoid contact with migratory birds to prevent the spread of the virus to his facility.
The impact of avian flu on Olson’s farm has been significant, with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) culling his birds in all three outbreak instances. More than 2.5 million birds in Alberta and 17 million nationwide have perished due to avian flu outbreaks since December 2021. The virus, which is naturally carried by wild birds, spreads through saliva and excrement, contaminating water and soil as birds migrate.
To safeguard against avian flu, Olson implements strict biosecurity measures, including controlled access zones around barns, thorough cleaning, and disinfection protocols. During peak migration periods, farm access is limited, and visitors are restricted to minimize disease transmission risks. The decline in avian flu cases in 2026 can be attributed to improved mitigation efforts and enhanced biosecurity practices in the commercial industry.
In Alberta, 26 cases of avian influenza were confirmed in poultry flocks last year, a notable increase from the previous year. The fluctuation in case numbers between 2022 and 2025 is believed to be linked to migratory bird activities. The CFIA has reported nine confirmed cases of avian flu in Canada this year, emphasizing the importance of vigilance for bird raisers amid ongoing detections in both wild and domestic birds.