Canada will cull an ostrich herd infected with avian influenza after the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear a challenge from the farm seeking to prevent the destruction of its birds, officials said Thursday. the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the decision, stating the culling will proceed to prevent the further spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.
The case centers on a farm in southwestern Ontario that first detected the virus in its ostrich flock in January. While the farm argued for alternative solutions to a full cull, citing the economic impact and the birds’ health, the CFIA maintained that eliminating the infected flock is the most effective way to contain the outbreak and protect the broader poultry industry. This decision underscores the stringent biosecurity measures employed in Canada to combat avian flu, which has impacted poultry farms globally, leading to the culling of millions of birds. The CFIA will oversee the humane culling process and implement enhanced surveillance in the surrounding area.
