Avian flu detected at Calgary’s Butterfield Acres Petting Farm: AHS
Posted Oct 19, 2025 9:44 am.
Last Updated Oct 19, 2025 9:46 am.
Nine cases of avian flu have been detected at northwest Calgary’s Butterfield Acres Petting Farm, according to Alberta Health Services (AHS).
Health officials have been advised of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at the venue and issued a formal notice to close the farm on Rocky Ridge Road on Oct. 17, a Sunday notice reads.
Primary Care Alberta says it was notified of nine poultry cases of HPAI at the petting farm on Oct. 16.
While the facility voluntarily closed from Oct. 13-17, AHS’s formal closure means the venue has to keep its doors closed until its conditions are met and until public health inspectors deem it safe to reopen.
While the virus primarily affects birds, rare human infections have occurred through close contact with infected animals.
Anyone who visited the petting farm between Oct. 6 and Oct. 12 is advised to watch for flu-like symptoms. Those include:
- Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle/body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat, cough, stuffy or runny nose
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting (rare)
- Individuals without symptoms
AHS says the severity or mildness of avian flu symptoms depends on the specific virus.
If you do get sick within ten days of the visit, you’re asked to isolate at home and call Alberta Health Link at 811. Select option “2” then “1” to be patched through for assessment and testing.
AHS says it’s not necessary to call 811 if you do not have symptoms, but says to continue to monitor your health.
Butterfield Acres Petting Farm is open most seasons — save for winter — and on top of having farm animals, it is known for the Harvest Pumpkin Fest that happens on the weekends throughout October.
660 NewsRadio has reached out to Butterfield Acres for comment.
