Following two outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in the province of Ontario, the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food will make available $1.9 million to Turkey Farmers of Canada and $750,000 to the Chicken Farmers of Canada to mount a publicity campaign promoting both turkey and broiler meat, assuring consumers of the safety and wholesomeness of Canadian poultry.  Previously, limited outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza occurred in Nova Scotia and in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador although the number of outbreaks is far lower than in the U.S.

The American Egg Board, in conjunction with United Egg Producers, preemptively prepared talking points and publicity to assure consumers that eggs marketed in the U.S. are from flocks shown to be free of avian influenza and that there is no danger from consumption.  Generally, there has been little public concern over avian influenza. Both mainstream and social media have carried fewer articles and references to HPAI compared to the previous epornitic in 2015.  In all probability the war in Ukraine, “the Slap” , economic and political issues have taken precedence over poultry infections. This is evidenced by dearth of questions on HPAI received by a nationally distributed brand of specialty eggs, suggesting a current lack of concern over the disease.