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UFCW Canada, the food workers’ union, calls for stronger protections as avian influenza flu cases grow

UFCW Canada, the food workers’ union, calls for stronger protections as avian influenza flu cases grow

Toronto – December 19, 2025 – As avian influenza cases continue to spread across the country, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Canada, the poultry workers’ union, is calling for strong protections and government action for workers in poultry processing facilities.

Avian influenza A(H5N1) is also known as bird flu or avian flu. It's a contagious viral infection that mainly affects birds but can sometimes infect other animals and humans.

This week, it was announced that 56,000 turkeys were to be culled in North Perth, Ontario, following an avian flu outbreak.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports that there are 71 currently infected flocks across Canada, with the majority in British Columbia and Alberta.

There are more than 15,000 people in poultry processing facilities in Canada, of which over 8,000 are UFCW members. UFCW Canada is calling for better protections for poultry and agricultural workers and involving them as key participants in the production chain. Protecting the health and safety of front poultry workers must be a priority for all levels of government as they manage the avian influenza pandemic.

The avian influenza, or A(H5N1), can spread from infected birds to human workers, and severe illness can follow.

Agricultural workers not eligible for immunization

In 2025, the Public Health Agency acquired 500,000 doses of the new human vaccine against avian influenza (HVAI) for Canadians. However, in many provinces, poultry and agricultural workers are not eligible for the vaccine, as other groups, such as wildlife specialists, are deemed higher priority.

Canada’s  National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) in its 2025 guidance framework on HVAI, notes that among the human cases of H5N1 in North America, “almost all have been reported in people with exposures to dairy cattle or poultry including in non-commercial settings.”

Poultry and agricultural workers should be included in HVAI eligibility.

Health and Safety challenges

PPE is recommended to reduce the risk of infection with avian influenza among those involved in the handling of sick or dead poultry; however, challenges remain in terms of ensuring appropriate PPE use. A study of human cases of avian influenza in the United States reveal that out of the 45 cases with animal exposure, only 36% reported use of both eye protection and respirators and face masks, despite handling inflect poultry or cattle.

In addition, poultry workers who are migrant workers or non-English or French speaking are more likely to be unaware of workplace safety regulations and has greater difficulty obtaining health and safety protections and vaccinations. We must ensure that these workers have the health and safety information they need and to empower them with the confidence to exercise their health, safety and labour rights.

As the avian influenza continues to infect flocks across Canada, protections for workers must be of first concern for all involved.

Symptoms of Avian Influence (Bird Flu) in humans

A(H5N1) is rare in humans. Some people with A(H5N1) don't have any symptoms at all. Illness can range from mild to very severe. Symptoms usually start to appear 1 to 5 days after exposure but can also appear later. Learn more from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Symptoms often start with:

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

Other early symptoms may include:

  • diarrhea
  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • fatigue
  • red eyes (also known as pink eye or conjunctivitis)
  • bleeding gums

In rare cases, A(H5N1) may progress quickly to:

  • severe respiratory illness, which can include:
    • difficulty breathing
    • pneumonia
    • severe and sudden respiratory failure (acute respiratory distress syndrome)
  • neurological changes (changed mental state or seizures)

In severe cases, A(H5N1) may also lead to:

  • multi-organ failure, which can include:
    • kidney and liver dysfunction
    • heart failure
  • death

Resources on the avian influenza

Infographics

Additional resources