A rare and highly contagious disease has been found at two commercial pigeon-breeding farms in Chilliwack.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said Newcastle disease was found at the facilities resulting in the birds to be culled and the premises to be disinfected, according to Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System (CAHSS).
CFIA was notified on May 28 of a suspicion of avian paramyxovirus in two squab pigeon farms with "unusual mortality," according to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Squab pigeons are young bird raised for their meat.
Newcastle disease is an often fatal viral disease affecting birds, impacting their respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems. In humans, it can cause conjunctivitis (pink eye).
It is mainly transmitted by direct contact with diseased or carrier birds.
"Infected birds may shed the virus in their feces, contaminating the environment. The virus can survive for days in litter, feed, water, soil, carcasses, eggs and feathers. The disease spreads rapidly among birds in close confinement," according to the Government of Canada. "There is no treatment for Newcastle disease."
The Chilliwack Progress has reached out to CFIA for more.
