Since March 2024, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been confirmed in multiple dairy cattle herds across the United States, prompting close monitoring and ongoing response efforts. According to the USDA, the most recent U.S. case was reported in Arizona on June 24, 2025. A full map and case breakdown by state and livestock type are available on the USDA website.
To date, no cases of HPAI H5N1 have been detected in Canadian dairy cattle. In response to the evolving situation, Animal Health Canada continues to coordinate with government bodies, industry partners, veterinarians, and laboratories to monitor for signs of the virus and ensure early detection if it emerges in Canada.
As part of national surveillance, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has ramped up testing of milk at both retail and processing levels. As of June 30, 2025:
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4,544 raw milk samples from trucks arriving at processing plants across all provinces have been tested, with all results negative for HPAI.
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These raw milk samples represent milk collected from approximately 2,700 dairy farms across Canada.
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1,211 retail milk samples collected from grocery stores across the Atlantic provinces, Quebec, Ontario, and Western Canada have also tested all negative.
These efforts are part of Canada’s proactive strategy to detect and contain any potential introduction of HPAI into the national dairy herd. Testing will continue, and Animal Health Canada is committed to sharing updates and resources as new information becomes available.
For more details or questions, contact: info@animalhealthcanada.ca.
