Canada’s poultry sector is wrapping up another challenging year marked by a sharp rise in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), persistent bacterial infections across the country and increasing respiratory disease pressures, particularly in Eastern Canada. While some regions have seen meaningful progress, such as steep declines in avian metapneumovirus (aMPV-B) in vaccinated turkey flocks, other long-standing issues like lameness, Inclusion Body Hepatitis (IBH), blackhead and multi-drug-resistant E. coli remain difficult to control.

These findings were shared at the Poultry Service Industry Workshop by Dr. Chantel Caughlin of Prairie Livestock Veterinarians in Alberta and Dr. Ben Schlegel of Poultry Health Services in Ontario.

According to Caughlin and Schlegel, Canada’s overall disease landscape this year was shaped by three dominant trends. First, there was a fall surge of avian influenza in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that rose higher than in previous fall migrations. Second, systemic bacterial infections remained consistently high, particularly cases involving E. coli and Enterococcus/E. cecorum. Finally, respiratory pressures continued to build in the East, led by infectious bronchitis (IBV) and the spread of aMPV-B.

Weather played a role, too. While Western producers had a relatively forgiving year with minimal smoke, heat spikes or deep freezes, Eastern farmers battled heat stress and infrastructure limitations that contributed to rising condemnation rates and higher subclinical disease levels.

The most consequential development nationally, noted Caughlin, is the growing conversation around possible HPAI vaccination. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is exploring a potential field trial, signalling that vaccination may become part of Canada’s long-term response strategy as the country enters its fourth wave of the virus.

“It is very difficult to predict AI. The general consensus is that most people accept it is here to stay, but the sustainability of our response is something we need to re-evaluate,” she said.

Western flock pressures

A defining feature of the year in Western Canada was the sharp increase in HPAI detections starting in late October, with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba reporting case numbers significantly higher than at the same time last year. 

Broilers were the most affected species, followed by turkeys, with isolated activity in layers. According to Caughlin, the pattern of spread continues to defy migratory logic, moving south to north and back again, which highlights HPAI’s fluid and unpredictable nature.

Veterinarians are detecting more Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) in broilers, often tied to co-infections with IBH and linked to suboptimal growth and feed conversion. Chick quality continues to fluctuate due to lingering impacts from British Columbia’s breeder HPAI outbreaks last year and ongoing disease challenges in the United States.

One of Western Canada’s biggest wins, however, has been the dramatic reduction of aMPV-B in turkeys, particularly in Manitoba, following widespread vaccine adoption.

Eastern flock pressures

The East faced a year dominated by bacterial infections, respiratory disease and rising condemnation rates, all of which point to a growing subclinical burden on flocks. E. coli and E. cecorum remain major drivers of early and late systemic infections, while IBV and aMPV-B continue to cause production losses. Heat stress and infrastructure challenges created additional strain on bird growth and health.

Emerging concerns include the continued spread of aMPV-B across species and increasing reports of multi-drug-resistant E. coli. According to Schlegel, this reinforces the need for long-term control strategies for pathogens that have entrenched themselves over multiple production cycles.

Broilers

Broilers in Western Canada experienced significant disease variability this year, largely due to inconsistent chick quality, periodic surges in IBH and a noticeable increase in IBD activity. Bacterial lameness caused by Enterococcus and E. coli remains widespread and continues to generate both welfare concerns and increased condemnations. Performance losses tied to IBD were evident in flocks exposed to field strains circulating in British Columbia and Ontario.

“This isn’t new, but something we’ve been monitoring closely,” Caughlin said. “We see sub-optimal performance, especially reduced weight gain and decreased feed efficiency, or co-infections like IBH.”

Eastern broiler production showed similar patterns. Systemic E. coli and E. cecorum infections increased at both early and late stages, and higher IBV activity contributed to a rise in viral and bacterial lameness. While salmonella pressure eased, Schlegel noted, condemnations related to airsacculitis, ascites and contamination increased, reflecting higher subclinical disease levels across the region.

Broiler breeders

Broiler breeders in the West continued to face first-week mortality issues tied to septicemia, along with periodic detections of multi-drug-resistant E. coli. Although the situation has not dramatically worsened compared to previous years, the industry continues to monitor developments closely; any decline in breeder health has potential to cascade into broiler performance challenges, Caughlin said.

In the East, broiler breeders had a relatively stable year, though bacterial lameness, respiratory co-infections and persistent coccidiosis issues remain part of routine casework. Sporadic appearances of blackhead and gangrenous dermatitis underscore the continued presence of less predictable pathogens in some areas.

Turkeys

It was a relatively stable year for turkeys in Western Canada, with fewer health challenges than broilers. E. coli and necrotic enteritis remain steady pressures, and occasional Mycoplasma cases still appear, but the major success has been the marked decrease in aMPV-B following vaccination campaigns. Blackhead remains largely contained to British Columbia and has not been detected in Alberta or Saskatchewan.

Eastern turkey flocks faced a tougher landscape. aMPV-B surged sharply, contributing to higher mortality and increased E. coli co-infections. Respiratory disease pressure remains high, including elevated Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) activity. Condemnations for ascites, airsacculitis and contamination increased, while multi-drug-resistant E. coli, botulism and blackhead were also found.

Layers

Layers remain the most stable and consistently healthy sector in Western poultry production, said Caughlin, with strong overall flock performance, though systemic E. coli infections are more common in free-run and outdoor-access systems due to higher dust and environmental exposure.

Egg Farmers of Canada’s emergency egg-supply measures saw some farms move into extended lay programs, which meant keeping birds to 80-plus weeks. While effective for short-term supply gaps, extended lay increased stress and disease risk tied to moving mixed-age birds and transporting older hens.

Eastern layer flocks were similarly stable overall, but with notable increases in aMPV-B antibody titers, osteoporosis, coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis. One of the most persistent challenges continues to be IBV, which causes production drops and abnormal eggs.

The path forward

Prevention remains Canada’s most reliable disease-management tool. Both Caughlin and Schlegel stressed that the single most critical element of biosecurity is how people enter and exit barns — meaning boot changes, hand hygiene, dedicated clothing and movement controls remain non-negotiable.

Paying attention to water sanitation, pest control and manure management is also essential, particularly in flocks dealing with systemic bacterial infections or respiratory pathogens.