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Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, is a viral disease carried by wild birds that can be transmitted to poultry. Some HPAI strains, such as H5N1, are deadly for birds and can spread through flocks rapidly. If an outbreak occurs on a farm, flocks must be immediately killed to try and stop the spread of the virus, resulting in significant negative impacts on food security and the economy. HPAI is not only a threat to poultry and wild birds, but can also cause mortality in other animals, creating a conservation threat.

Recently H5N1 has spilled over into mammals, with cases detected in humans and in dairy cattle in the United States. So far, the cases have been mild, but the transfer of the virus between species has raised concerns about the virus becoming a public health risk with pandemic potential if it continues to evolve. Given the rapid spread of H5N1 and its movement into mammals, British Columbia must be vigilant and prepared for potential future outbreaks. This underscores an urgent need for enhanced surveillance, investigation and control programs to monitor and control the spread of the disease.

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) are monitoring the evolution and spread of the virus. This information is also used by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) to monitor and identify high-risk strains in wild birds. Sharing this data between institutions is crucial for a combined and targeted approach to manage the virus; for example, if we can identify high-risk strains then biosecurity measures on poultry farms can be taken to increase protections.

This project will (1) Analyze sequences of H5N1 viruses from samples submitted to understand the diversity and evolution of the virus (2) develop data-sharing platforms that allow the BCCDC and MAF to analyze, interpret, share and communicate information specific to their needs. The resulting system will support the development of policy and targeted interventions to protect animal and human health in BC.

This initiative represents a critical advancement in managing infectious diseases through a One Health approach – one that accounts for the intrinsic interconnectedness among people, animals and their shared environment.