Avian influenza: Advice for travellers

Original publication date: January 17, 2019

Updated: January 17, 2025

Current situation

Human cases of avian influenza have been reported worldwide. Cases not related to workplace exposures, such as work in commercial poultry farms or with livestock, have primarily been reported in China and Cambodia.

The risk to most travellers remains low.

About avian influenza

Avian influenza is a viral infection that spreads mainly among birds but can sometimes infect humans and other animals. Some birds may get sick and die, while others can carry the virus without showing any signs of illness. There are different types of avian influenza, all caused by type A influenza viruses, like A(H5N1), A(H7N3), and A(H9N2).

In humans, avian influenza infections can cause a wide range of illnesses, from no symptoms or mild sickness to serious or even deadly disease.

Although rare, avian influenza can spread to humans in several ways:

• Being close to infected birds or visiting live animal markets or poultry farms
• Touching things contaminated with the virus, like bird droppings or raw milk from farm animals
• Close contact with certain animals, like mammals that eat wild birds (e.g., foxes) or farm animals (e.g., cattle)
• Through person-to-person contact, however, the chance of avian influenza spreading easily from person to person is still considered to be very low.

The early symptoms of avian influenza are similar to seasonal influenza (flu):

• cough
• shortness of breath
• fever
• aching muscles
• headache

Other early symptoms may include:

• diarrhea
• runny nose
• sore throat
• fatigue
• conjunctivitis (red eyes)
• bleeding gums

Learn more:

Avian influenza

Recommendations

Before your trip:

Talk to a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably about 6 weeks before your trip to get personalized health advice. Even if you’re short on time, it’s still worthwhile to make an appointment.

Discuss with the healthcare provider:

• which pre-travel vaccines or medications may be right for you.
• whether your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Many require a booster as an adult.
• the medications you're currently taking or planning to bring with you.

Before travelling, sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that the Government of Canada can contact and assist you in case of an emergency abroad or help your family or friends reach you in case of an emergency at home.

Registration of Canadians Abroad

During your trip:

• Stay away from high-risk places like poultry farms and markets where live animals are sold or killed for food.
• Avoid touching wild birds, farm birds, or backyard birds, whether they are alive or dead. This includes chickens, turkeys, and ducks.
• Don’t handle wildlife (alive or dead).
• Don’t handle farm animals, like cattle.
• Stay clear of surfaces that might have bird droppings on them.
• Make sure all poultry and eggs are fully cooked before eating.
• Don’t drink raw milk or eat products made from it.
• Clean your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
  • Keep a bottle of hand sanitizer with you when you travel.
  • If your hands look dirty, you should wash them with soap and water instead of using hand sanitizer.

Learn more:

Meat, poultry, fish and seafood safety
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Tips for healthy travel
Travel outside Canada
If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return

Returning to Canada

If you begin to feel sick during your travel back to Canada, you should:

• put on a well-fitting respirator or mask, if possible
• limit contact with other people, if possible
• inform the flight attendant, cruise staff and/or a border
• services officer as soon as possible. You may be referred to a quarantine officer for a health assessment and further direction.

If you begin to feel sick after you return to Canada, you should:

• limit contact with other people
• wear a mask if fever or respiratory symptoms develop
• call a healthcare provider. Tell them:
  • your symptoms
  • where you’ve been travelling or living
  • if you had close contact with animals
  • if you had close contact with a sick person

The healthcare provider may provide you with additional guidance to follow during your appointment.

Antiviral medications can be used to treat avian influenza. It is important that antiviral medications be taken as early as possible, ideally within 48 hours of getting sick.