Active Animal Health Act orders and disease alerts
Last updated on July 14, 2026Animal Health Act orders and disease alerts are initiated by the Office of the Chief Veterinarian as part of management of reportable and notifiable diseases in animals.
On this page:
- Toxic cyanobacteria blooms
- Commercial chicken and turkey to remain indoors General Order removed
- Active Animal Health Act orders
- Disease alerts
Toxic cyanobacteria blooms
Since the start of July 2026, there have been two suspect cases of Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) algae poisoning in domestic animals at Takysie Lake (in the Burns Lake region). Each year, it is expected that algal blooms may occur in waterbodies throughout BC in summer months, and the occurrence of these cases indicates current conditions are creating risk of blooms.
Overview
Cyanobacteria can produce toxins that are harmful to animals and humans.
Cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) blooms are caused by the rapid multiplication of cyanobacteria in any water body when conditions are favourable for growth, such as warm and stagnant water. Cyanobacterial blooms are most common in freshwater, including lakes, ponds, and dugouts, but may also sometimes occur in rivers and streams, water features like bird baths and fountains, or in brackish or marine waters.
Some visual indicators of cyanobacteria blooms, especially during warmer months can include:
- Discoloured water, ranging from green, to blue, red, purple or brown
- Unusual water surface textures that resemble paint or streaks, pea-soup, foam, scum, grass clippings, clumps or mats
- The presence of dead wild birds or fish
Blooms are not always obvious, and you can’t tell whether a bloom is toxic by looking at it, but if you suspect there is a bloom you should assume toxins may be present. Toxins can also persist after a bloom has dissipated or moved, so if there has been a recent bloom in the area, you should use caution before entering the water, even if the bloom is no longer visible.
Information for pet owners
How to protect your pet: Prevent exposure
- Pets ingest a lot of water while swimming or playing in water, so they are at high risk of toxicity
- During warm summer months, always check water sources before allowing your animal to access them
- Keep your animals away from affected water with posted warnings of toxic cyanobacteria, or when you see signs of a visible bloom, or if there are dead birds, wildlife or fish around/in the water
- Consider keeping your animals away from water bodies that frequently experience cyanobacteria problems, particularly in the summer and early fall (water temperatures greater than 25C are highest risk)
- If your animal comes into contact with a cyanobacteria bloom, limit their consumption of the algae (i.e., stop them from licking their fur) and rinse them with clean water. Do not let your animal eat clumps or mats of algae in the water or along the shore. Immediately seek veterinary care
- Supply alternative sources of drinking water for your animal (i.e., carrying fresh water for pets) so they don’t have to drink from an affected water body
- AlgaeWatch is an excellent resource for accessing and making reports on algae blooms across the province
What are the signs of cyanobacterial toxin exposure in pets?
Signs can occur quickly (minutes to hours) and can be rapidly fatal. They include:
- Sudden severe illness, shock or death
- Vomiting, diarrhea
- Tremors, stumbling, paralysis, seizures
- Hives
- Difficulty breathing
- If your animal is sick, see your veterinarian or go to a veterinary emergency clinic immediately. Emergency veterinary treatment is required, but even with aggressive treatment, many pets will die
Information for veterinarians and livestock owners
Case definition
A suspect case is defined as an animal or group of animals with clinical signs compatible with toxicity AND recent exposure (<24 hours) to a body of water suspected or known to have an active or recent algal bloom. Given the recent cases, precautions should be taken when watering livestock in and around watercourses.
Veterinarians and producers are encouraged to submit a report of any suspect cases to the Office of the Chief Veterinarian to allow us to track and validate cases.
Cattle owners may also contact the BC Cattlemen’s Association Livestock Water Quality Testing Pilot Program | BC Cattlemen’s Association.
Diagnostic testing
There are more than 30 species of cyanobacteria associated with toxic cyanobacterial blooms and they can produce toxins of six distinct chemical classes. Broadly speaking cyanotoxins are divided into hepatotoxins (most commonly microcystin), which result in massive hepatic necrosis, and neurotoxins (including anatoxins and saxitoxins), which result in sudden onset of neurological clinical signs including hypersalivation and seizures. With both the hepatotoxins and the neurotoxins the mortality rate is high, and death generally occurs within hours.
Diagnosis in the clinical setting relies upon a history of exposure, compatible clinical signs and ruling out other differentials. The hepatotoxins generally result in indications of hepatic dysfunction on blood chemistry. The neurotoxins do not result in consistent changes on routine bloodwork. Anatoxin-A and Microcystin (the most common cyanotoxins) can be detected in stomach contents, urine or serum at some veterinary toxicology laboratories, but turnaround time is 10-14 days, so although useful for confirming the diagnosis, this is not generally helpful for clinical management.
Examination of animals that are suspected to have died of toxicity in BC can be done by submitting the carcass or appropriate tissue portions and samples to the Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford.
Water testing is available for Microcystin and Anatoxin-A at some veterinary toxicology laboratories, or may be available through a local health authority (for Microcystin only).
Veterinarians requiring more information or advice on sampling and submission can call 604-556-3003 or email pahb@gov.bc.ca.
Who to contact and useful links
If you suspect illness in a domestic animal, or see sick or dead animals near a water body contact the following:
| Type of animal | Who to contact |
|---|---|
|
Domestic animals |
Veterinary clinic |
| Cattle |
BC Cattlemen’s Association |
| Wild birds e.g. geese, ducks, eagles, crows |
BC Wild Bird Mortality Line -866-431-2473 |
|
Marine mammals |
BC Marine Mammal Response Network |
To report an algae bloom in a lake or river that is used for drinking water or recreation, contact your local health authority
Commercial chicken and turkey to remain indoors General Order removed
Effective June 1, 2026, the Chief Veterinarian has rescinded General Order AIV 2025-01. This order required all persons responsible for chickens and turkeys in operations regulated by the B.C. Broiler Hatching Egg Commission, B.C. Chicken Marketing Board, B.C. Egg Marketing Board, and B.C. Turkey Marketing Board, and who hold quota from their Marketing Board or Commission to keep their poultry indoors to reduce the risk of Avian Influenza transmission.
Diligence in applying biosecurity measures remains the most important tool in preventing poultry flocks from contracting avian influenza. It is essential that producers continue to maintain on-farm biosecurity to protect their birds at all times, even after the lifting of the order.
Active Animal Health Act orders
General Order CWD2025-001 (PDF, 794 KB): Cervids found dead in areas of southeast BC must be submitted for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing and require special disposal.
Disease alerts
Contact information
Do you have a question? Please contact us Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
604-556-3003
1-800-661-9903
604-556-3010