Canada Grapples with Opioid Crisis and Avian Flu Preparedness

Ottawa, ON – Canada is facing significant public health challenges, including an escalating opioid crisis driven by potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl, and is bolstering its defenses against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1). The nation is also prioritizing mental health support and suicide prevention.

Opioid Crisis

• The pervasive opioid crisis continues to impact families and communities nationwide.
• Fentanyl and othre synthetic opioids are increasingly prevalent in the illicit drug supply.
• The unpredictable nature and high potency of these substances present substantial difficulties for Canada’s public health and safety systems.
• Health Canada is actively collaborating with law enforcement and border agencies to enhance the detection and interdiction of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals.
• In 2025, Canada launched a new $1.3 billion border plan aimed at strengthening drug control measures. This plan includes the establishment of a new Canadian drug analysis center, a dedicated precursor risk management unit, and enhanced regulatory oversight for precursor chemicals.

mental Health

• Annually, one in five Canadians experiences a mental illness, and half of all Canadians will have faced a mental health challenge by age 40. Young Canadians, particularly those aged 15-24, exhibit the highest rates of mental health and substance use disorders.
• The Health Portfolio plays a crucial role by providing financial support to healthcare professionals and community organizations,fostering interjurisdictional collaboration,and funding research to advance effective and equitable mental health policies and practices.

Suicide Prevention and 9-8-8

• Approximately 4,500 individuals die by suicide in Canada each year, equating to about 12 deaths daily.
• Services such as the 9-8-8 suicide prevention helpline offer vital assistance and support to individuals in distress across Canada.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A (H5N1)

• Since March 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified A(H5N1) in unpasteurized milk from dairy cattle in several U.S. regions, as well as A(H5N1) virus fragments in pasteurized milk available in stores. The U.S. has also reported human cases linked to exposure to suspected infected dairy cattle and poultry.
• As of February 2025, no cases of A(H5N1) have been detected in Canadian dairy cows. On November 13, 2024, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed Canada’s frist human case of H5N1 avian influenza, likely resulting from exposure to an infected wild bird, though the precise source remains undetermined by the provincial health officer for British Columbia.
• In February 2025, Health Canada authorized an H5N1 vaccine, and PHAC has secured a supply of this vaccine for potential use based on evolving risk conditions and public health needs.

F. Key Contacts