OTTAWA, ONTARIO — The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) confirmed the first detection of Newcastle disease in the country since 1973.

According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the CFIA was notified on May 28 of a suspicion of Newcastle disease in two squab pigeon farms in Fraser Valley, British Columbia. Birds from the commercial operation were screened and tested positive for the disease on June 4 at the CFIA’s National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease laboratory.

Following the detection, the CFIA immediately quarantined the affected farms and implemented strict movement controls. All affected birds are to be culled.

“Based on the current understanding of the risk Newcastle disease poses to the poultry sector, the CFIA has determined that depopulation of the infected domestic pigeons and thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises must be completed,” the CFIA said in its announcement. “These response actions will help to prevent the spread of the virus to commercial poultry operations in the surrounding area.”

WOAH reported that based on sequencing, the virus found in the pigeons aligns with pigeon paramyxoviruses circulating in Eurasia.

Newcastle disease is a viral disease that can affect both wild and domestic birds. It is mainly transmitted through direct contact of infected birds. Affected areas can be contaminated for days, surviving in litter, feed, water, soil, carcasses, eggs and feathers. It can also spread through contaminated materials and equipment.

Newcastle disease can affect humans, causing conjunctivitis, which occurs occasionally in laboratory and farm workers not wearing protective eyewear, the CFIA explained.

The risk of the disease to the general public is low, and food safety is not a concern with properly handled and cooked poultry, added the CFIA.