Hundreds of Birds Cursed by Avian Flu at Show

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has devastated participants at the Canadian National Poultry Show, held on November 7 in Moose Jaw. Organizers confirmed the outbreak, which has forced breeders to cull hundreds of birds. One organizer, Rob McCulloch, shared the emotional toll, noting that some breeders had to put down between 500 and 700 birds, while he himself culled 40 of his own flock.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has officially confirmed the HPAI outbreak. In an email, the CFIA urged individuals who brought birds to or took birds from the show to report to the agency immediately. They also advised those with birds at home, even if they did not participate in the event, to monitor their flocks for signs of illness and contact the CFIA if any symptoms appear. Affected birds may exhibit lethargy, refuse to eat, or show respiratory changes, with the potential for fatal outcomes.