Canada Confirms No HPAI in Dairy Cattle as Milk Testing Remains Clear

Since late March 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1) has spread through several U.S. dairy herds. In contrast, Canada has not detected any cases in its dairy cattle.

Animal Health Canada, together with federal and provincial partners, continues to lead the national response. From the start, officials have met regularly with industry groups, veterinarians, and surveillance networks to share the latest updates and answer questions directly.

Nationwide Milk Testing Strengthens Confidence

To stay ahead of the risk, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Health Canada, and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) have ramped up testing. They continue to monitor both retail and raw milk:

• Retail milk: By September 5, 2024, CFIA laboratories had tested 1,211 retail samples across the country. Every result came back negative.

• Raw milk at processing plants: By September 5, 2025, CFIA had analyzed 5,602 raw milk samples from trucks serving about 2,700 farms nationwide. Again, every sample tested negative.

Across all regions, results remain consistent:

• Atlantic provinces: 379 samples – all negative

• Ontario: 1,704 samples – all negative

• Quebec: 2,008 samples – all negative

• Western provinces: 1,511 samples – all negative

Pasteurization Provides a Strong Safeguard

Beyond testing, Health Canada and CFIA confirmed in a 2024 study that pasteurization effectively kills HPAI in milk. This mirrors international findings and reinforces consumer confidence. Because Canadian law requires all milk sold commercially to be pasteurized, milk and dairy products remain safe for consumption.

Proactive Measures Protect the Herd

Canada continues to take a precautionary stance. HPAI is a federally reportable disease, so any suspected cases must be reported to CFIA immediately. Monthly raw milk testing at processing plants acts as an early warning system, ensuring quick action if the virus ever appears in Canadian herds.

Research and Biosafety Safeguards

Meanwhile, laboratories that handle HPAI samples must follow strict biosafety standards and report any detections to CFIA. These safeguards help protect both public health and animal health.

For more details, visit Health Canada’s HPAI and food safety page.