This ostrich farm survived wildfires. Now, avian flu means 400 birds need to be culled

An ostrich farm in B.C.’s West Kootenay region is facing a devastating blow after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the presence of avian flu in its 400-bird herd. Universal Ostrich, located in Edgewood, B.C., has been ordered to cull its entire flock by February 1st, leaving the farm’s operators, Katie Pasitney and her mother, heartbroken.

The CFIA’s cull order was issued on December 31st following the detection of avian flu earlier that month. The agency classifies ostriches as “poultry” and follows the guidelines set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This decision comes amidst a nationwide outbreak of highly pathogenic avian flu, affecting millions of domestic and wild birds, as well as some dairy cattle and humans.

Pasitney insists that her ostriches pose minimal risk to the general population, as they are flightless birds not intended for meat consumption. The farm has implemented stringent quarantine measures since the disease was first detected in December. Despite some birds falling ill, Pasitney notes that a portion of the herd has shown resistance to infection, with only around nine percent succumbing to the virus.

In a statement, the CFIA acknowledged that this is the first instance of avian flu in Canadian ostriches since the outbreak began in December 2021. The agency’s decision to cull the birds has sparked controversy, with experts like J. Scott Weese, a professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, questioning the necessity of such drastic measures given the widespread nature of the disease.

Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt, a professor at the University of Montreal’s veterinary school, emphasized that Canada is bound by international agreements, such as the one with WOAH, which dictate specific protocols for controlling avian flu outbreaks. While Pasitney laments the loss of valuable genetic material in her flock, the CFIA maintains that the herd’s genetics did not meet the criteria for preservation.

As Pasitney explores options to save her ostriches and pleads for an extension of the cull deadline, the fate of the farm remains uncertain. The potential repercussions for defying the CFIA’s order are unknown, leaving the operators in a state of limbo. The community and animal lovers alike are rallying behind Universal Ostrich in hopes of finding a solution that preserves the unique genetics of the birds while addressing the threat of avian flu.