Welcome to the Western Canadian Animal Health Network

WeCAHN is an animal surveillance and intelligence network, detecting and sharing animal disease trends and best practices with livestock producers, pet owners, and veterinarians, improving animal health and welfare in western Canada. WeCAHN also produces infographics, network reports, and surveillance information in other media such as podcasts which can be accessed with WeCAHN membership. For full access to these materials, please join us.

What's New

H5N1 detected in sheep in UK 24th March 2025

The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has confirmed a case of influenza of avian origin (H5N1) in a single sheep in Yorkshire following repeat positive milk testing. The ewe tested positive for H5 antibodies in the blood, and her milk was positive for H5 RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The ewe had been showing clinical signs of mastitis.

The case was identified following routine surveillance of co-located livestock on a premises where avian influenza had been confirmed in captive birds. Defra has introduced livestock surveillance on infected premises following the outbreak of avian influenza in dairy cows in the US.

For more information: LINK

Foot and Mouth Disease in Slovakia 25th March 2025

On 21st March 2025, positive results of samples taken from 3 cattle farms were confirmed at the National Reference Laboratory for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (SVPU-VU Zvolen). These are farms in Medvedov, Narade and Baka in the Dunajska Streda disctrict, close to the Slovak-Hungarian border. In total, there are 2771 animals of various categories (1699 dairy cows, 501 calves, 492 heifers and 79 bulls). 

For more information: LINK

Foot and Mouth Disease in Hungary 7th March 2025

Hungary reported an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in cattle, making this the first occurrence of the disease since 1973 in the country. While the FMD virus is not considered a public health problem, it is crucial for animal health due to its easy transmission and the significant economic impact it can have. Hungary has already put in place containment measures. Early detection and rapid response are critical to contain any outbreak.

For more information: LINK

H5N1 Bird Flu Surveillance in U.S. Horses

At a February 2025 Gluck Equine Research educational seminar, Feng Li, DVM, PhD, professor at the University of Kentucky’s Department of Veterinary Science, discussed the latest developments in avian influenza A (H5N1) surveillance for horses in the United States.

One objective of the current surveillance model for horses is to assess immune responses elicited through available equine H3N8 vaccines or natural infection with endemic strains of H3N8 and see if these exposures can offer some cross-protection against H5N

Cases of EIV have been increasing in the United States from 2024-2025, says Dr Li, with 199 confirmed cases in 2024. Testing continues on confirmed cases of pan-flu A that tested positive with PCR but without subtyping. In a cohort of 457 equine serum samples from Kentucky and Ohio, all were negative for H5 antibodies. Another 367 serum samples, mostly from California and Kentucky, are being evaluated for H5 antibodies. Li said that by spring 2025, roughly 3,500 samples will undergo surveillance; these samples will primarily come from horses in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Kansas, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas—areas that correlate with major bird flyways across the U.S.

For more information LINK

Animal Health Surveillance in Western Canada