In light of the ongoing outbreak affecting North American dairy cows, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently tested 391 samples of raw milk from processing plants across the country for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) H5N1. All samples tested negative for the virus.

Previously, CFIA tested 1,211 pasteurized milk samples on retail sale across Canada, all of which also tested negative. Commercially sold milk and milk products must be pasteurized before sale in Canada. Studies have shown that pasteurization effectively inactivates HPAI in milk and that pasteurized milk does not pose a food safety risk related to the virus.

Aside from testing milk samples, other measures the Canadian government is taking to monitor and prevent the spread of HPAI include requiring negative test results for lactating dairy cattle being imported from the U.S. to Canada, and encouraging the voluntary testing of cows that are not presenting clinical signs of HPAI to facilitate enhanced industry biosecurity efforts.

Update, December 10, 2024: As of December 6, CFIA has tested 906 samples of raw milk from across Canada. All samples have tested negative.