H5N1 Avian influenza in Alberta
Based on information to date, the risk to the public from the current strains of avian influenza (H5N1) circulating in birds in North America remains low. However, during spring and fall wild bird migration seasons, the level of risk associated with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in migratory waterfowl, domestic poultry and farmed mammals is higher than other times of year. Get the full details on avian influenza in Alberta.
Chief Provincial Veterinarian
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Dr. Keith Lehman
Dr. Keith Lehman, born and raised in Vegreville, Alberta, has served as Alberta’s Chief Provincial Veterinarian since July 2016, building on valuable experiences throughout his veterinary career. After graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999, he has worked in private veterinary practice and government roles, including at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Market Access Secretariat, and Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation.
Other leadership roles have included chair of the Council of Chief Veterinary Officers and co-chair of Animal Health Canada. He also serves as an ex-officio member of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association Council and on various strategic advisory committees and technical working groups and has a passion for complex animal health and welfare policy issues.
Mandate
Having strong animal health and welfare policy and practices is important to Alberta's livestock and other animals. It's also important to public health, Alberta's environment and the agriculture industry.
Alberta’s Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV) provides scientific and veterinary leadership in developing animal health and welfare policy and works to prevent and respond to animal health concerns.
The OCPV focuses on:
- animal disease prevention and control activities, including emergency planning, premises identification and traceability programs, and disease surveillance
- overseeing administration of Alberta's Animal Health Act and Animal Protection Act, as well as other important acts and regulations
- providing advice and recommendations on related animal health and welfare topics
Responsibilities
A key part of the OCPV's work is on collaboration and joint response. This includes:
- working closely with other provinces, levels of government, and industry on various food animal health topics including provincially regulated animal diseases
- working with the Ministry of Health and Alberta Health Services on topics that are important to both animal and public health, such as rabies, food-borne illness and antimicrobial resistance
- collaborating with Alberta Environment and Protected Areas' Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch on animal health topics and disease responses that affect both livestock and wildlife – such as chronic wasting disease, tuberculosis, brucellosis and avian influenza
- maintaining legislation to protect animals from distress and collaborating in the development of other tools to support the care of animals
Contact
Connect with the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-3448
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-415-0810
Email: [email protected]
Address:
O.S. Longman Building
6909 116 Street
Edmonton, Alberta T6H 4P2