Overview
- Canada’s deputy chief veterinarian filed an affidavit Tuesday at the Federal Court of Appeal opposing another delay to cull roughly 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C.
- Further analysis cited in the filing describes a novel H5N1 reassortant that ranked among the most virulent strains tested at the National Microbiology Laboratory, with low doses killing mice within days.
- The Appeal Court on Sept. 6 granted an interim stay that postpones the cull until a full record is considered, while allowing the CFIA to take preparatory steps.
- The affidavit warns that continued delay raises animal and human health risks, noting potential silent shedding by apparently healthy ostriches and the virus’s persistence in water, manure and feathers for months or longer.
- Universal Ostrich Farms maintains the flock is healthy and wants testing for H5N1, but the CFIA says policy does not allow additional testing, the likelihood of current infection is unknown, and quarantine noncompliance factors into its risk assessment.