Understanding dynamics of British Columbia smallholder livestock systems and One Health strategies to prevent, detect and control highly pathogenic avian influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, has caused severe morbidity and mortality in poultry across Canada since 2021, with over 11 million birds culled resulting in significant economic impacts. HPAI has been detected in an increasing number of domestic and wild mammalian species, including recently in dairy cattle in the United States. Despite the current lack of evidence for mutations that would render H5N1 infecting dairy cattle more transmissible among humans, the discovery of this virus in yet another livestock species has raised alarms to the possibility. The BC premises ID (PID) program was established to keep track of producers in the province and to mitigate emerging threats and support producers in emergency situations brought on by pathogens such as HPAI. Although registration for a PID is mandatory, smaller livestock operations in BC have the lowest participation rates, and potentially pose higher risk for intra- and inter-farm transmission given the various livestock and companion animal species co-existing on some smallholder farms. The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of smallholder animal farms, farmers, and production systems in BC, including producer perceptions of the PID program. This information will be critical to improving policies and programming for monitoring and mitigating HPAI and other diseases.