Where bird flu spreads in Canada—and when to worry most

Researchers analyzed 2,657 H5N1 detections in Canadian wildlife from 2022–2026, finding waterfowl and raptors carry most infections, with hotspots in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. Cases peaked in 2022 and spiked during spring and autumn migration seasons. Dangerous reassortant virus strains spread fastest, suggesting surveillance should focus on migration routes, specific bird species, and mammal spillover to predict outbreaks before they reach farms or cities.