Latest news with #avianinfluenza
Globe and Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
B.C. ostriches set for cull have avian flu infection not seen elsewhere in Canada, agency says
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans to move ahead with a plan to cull ostriches in British Columbia, citing the birds have a genetic composition of avian influenza associated with a human infection in Ohio. The CFIA said in a statement released late Friday evening its National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease identified the current infection in the ostriches with a 'novel reassortment' not otherwise seen in Canada. 'This assortment includes the D1.3 genotype, which has been associated with a human infection in a poultry worker in Ohio,' the agency said. 'A human case of H5N1 in BC earlier this year required critical care, and an extended hospital stay for the patient, and there have been a number of human cases in the United States, including a fatality.' Ostriches that live at the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, a remote community in B.C., are now the subject of international attention, including from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services who takes issue with the CFIA's plans to kill the nearly 400 birds. The ostriches have also garnered other forms of support in the U.S., such as from billionaire John Catsimatidis and Dr. Oz, an American TV physician who now runs medicare in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration. Dr. Oz offered to provide sanctuary to the birds at his Florida ranch but the farm owners would like to keep the birds in Canada. Last December, an outbreak began at the farm that killed 69 ostriches. In January, the CFIA said the rest of the flock would be 'depopulated.' This spring, the farm has challenged the agency in court. Earlier this month, the Federal Court determined the CFIA acted reasonably in its cull decision. The farm's owners filed an appeal this week. B.C. owners of ostriches condemned because of avian flu outbreak seek new legal challenge The CFIA said Friday that after the court made its ruling on May 13, farm owners and supporters have made an 'apparent attempt to prevent the CFIA from carrying out its operations at the infected premises.' It also says this has delayed a timely and appropriate response to the premises infected with the avian influenza, resulting in 'ongoing risks to animals and humans.' 'Given that the flock has had multiple laboratory-confirmed cases of H5N1 and the ongoing serious risks for animal and human health, and trade, the CFIA continues planning for humane depopulation with veterinary oversight at the infected premises,' it said. The agency also said Universal Ostrich Farm has not co-operated with requirements set out under the federal Health of Animals Act. It claims that it failed to report initial cases of illness and deaths to the CFIA and it did not adhere to quarantine orders. The farm was issued two notices of violations with a penalty totaling $20,000, the agency said. The farm has not yet responded to the CFIA's statement. On Thursday, Katie Pasitney, a spokesperson for the farm who is the daughter of an owner, told The Globe and Mail about 50 supporters have gathered at the site daily who are rallying to save the animals. A convoy of supporters plan to travel to the farm site this weekend, she added. Supporters who made visits to the farm this week include a 13-year-old teenager from Fraser Valley, B.C., and her parents. She was diagnosed with Canada's first domestically acquired case of avian flu in November, although it is still not known how she caught the virus. The teen was discharged from BC Children's Hospital in early January after fighting for her life. Her visit to the farm was the first time she made a public appearance since becoming ill.
Reuters
3 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
China bans Brazilian poultry imports over avian influenza
BEIJING, May 30 (Reuters) - China banned the imports of poultry and related products from Brazil over an avian influenza outbreak, the customs administration said in a notice released on its website dated May 29. Brazil, the world's largest chicken exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a commercial poultry farm in its southernmost state earlier this month, triggering a slew of international trade bans. The Brazilian government had previously asked top buyer China to restrict its embargo to poultry products just from the city where the outbreak occurred.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
B.C. owners of ostriches hope high-powered names and bird-flu survivor will save flock from cull
The owners of nearly 400 ostriches that are earmarked for death on a B.C. farm hope public appeals from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Oz and a 13-year-old Canadian survivor of bird flu will help to save their animals. The group of tall birds, including a particularly beloved one named Q-Tip after his fuzzy white head, live at the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, a remote community in B.C. They have garnered international attention, including from Mr. Kennedy, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, because the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) plans to cull the animals to implement disease-control measures for avian influenza. Last December, an outbreak began killing 69 ostriches on the B.C. farm. In late January, the CFIA said the rest of the flock was to be 'depopulated.' The farm has been challenging the agency in court this spring. Earlier this month, the Federal Court determined the CFIA acted reasonably in its cull decision. The farm's owners filed an appeal this week. While the legal battle continues, about 50 supporters gather to the farm each day, said Katie Pasitney, who grew up with the animals as the daughter of one of the owners and sees them as family. Some birds, she said, have been around for decades: Q-Tip, for example, is in his 20s. B.C. owners of ostriches condemned because of avian flu outbreak seek new legal challenge Among the supporters who arrived earlier this week was a 13-year-old teenager from Fraser Valley, B.C., and her parents. She was diagnosed with Canada's first domestically acquired case of avian flu in November, although it is still not known how she caught the virus. She was discharged from BC Children's Hospital in early January after weeks spent fighting for her life in critical care. She made her first media appearance in video captured this week by reporters in B.C., where she was identified as Joselynn and issued an appeal to save the birds. 'Let them live; they don't deserve to die,' she whispered, her voice strained. Ms. Pasitney said the teenager is receiving blood tests to screen for antibodies. The same testing should be afforded to the ostriches who are in good health, she added. South of the border, Mr. Kennedy recently wrote a public letter to CFIA president Paul MacKinnon that said there would be 'significant value' in studying the immune response of the ostriches to avian flu. Dr. Oz, an American TV physician who now runs medicare in U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, offered to provide sanctuary to the birds at his Florida ranch. Dr. Oz offers to relocate B.C. ostriches facing cull The Trump administration has faced criticism for its response to the influenza. Drug maker Moderna announced Wednesday that the government cancelled a contract for the development of an avian flu vaccine for humans. In Canada, the CFIA has already killed more than 8.7 million birds in B.C. at hundreds of farms since April, 2022, because of avian flu. The measures, it says, are consistent with federal legislation and align with guidelines from the World Organisation for Animal Health. The CFIA won't specify when and how the ostriches will be killed. It said it may provide up to $3,000 to compensate for each culled bird. Universal Ostrich Farms has operated for more than three decades. The owners, Karen Espersen – Ms. Pasitney's mother – and Dave Bilinski, have raised hundreds of the birds. They are now concerned when the cull will begin. Ms. Pasitney felt hopeful when federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald told reporters on Wednesday the ostriches would 'not necessarily' be killed. Mr. MacDonald said he felt sorry for the farmers but cited an obligation to protect Canadian industries: 'We'll move forward on the best possible solution for everybody involved.'
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Cambodia reports fourth bird flu death this year
A total of 43 people died from bird flu in Cambodia between 2003 and 2024, according to the World Health Organization. (Reuters pic) PHNOM PENH : Cambodia registered its fourth death from bird flu this year, double last year's toll, after an 11-year-old boy died from the virus, authorities said Wednesday. The child from Kampong Speu province in the west had 'fever, cough, and difficulty breathing' when he was taken to hospital before he died on Tuesday, the health ministry said. Tests by the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia confirmed he was positive for the H5N1 virus which causes avian influenza, according to the statement. It said there were chickens and ducks getting sick and dying near the child's house one week before he showed symptoms. A 28-year-old man who raised poultry at home died from bird flu in January. In February and March, the virus killed two children aged two and three. The H5N1 virus is generally transmitted to humans after contact with infected birds or in high-risk environments, such as farms or live animal markets, but the likelihood of transmission remains rare. A total of 43 people died from bird flu in Cambodia between 2003 and 2024, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). There were no cases between 2014 and 2022, following which the WHO reported an uptick as the virus killed four people in the kingdom in 2023 and two last year.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Cambodia reports 11-year-old boy is country's fourth bird flu death this year
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — An 11-year-old boy in Cambodia died from bird flu , the country's fourth victim of four confirmed cases of the infection this year, the Health Ministry announced Wednesday. The ministry issued a statement saying laboratory tests from the Pasteur Institute of Cambodia confirmed the boy, who lived in a village in the western province of Kampong Speu, died Tuesday of H5N1 avian influenza, as the infection is formally called.
