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Industry notice – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency detects Newcastle disease in BC pigeons
June 19, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario
On June 4, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) detected avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) results from a commercial poultry operation of pigeons in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia (BC). Movement controls were placed on the infected premises (IP) after confirmatory testing was completed at the CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease laboratory (NCFAD). The virus was identified to be a strain of PPMV-1 adapted to pigeons consistent with Newcastle disease. This is the first case of Newcastle disease in Canada since 1973.
Response and next steps
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. These response actions will help to prevent the spread of the virus to commercial poultry operations in the surrounding area.
The CFIA conducts inspections and has monitoring and testing programs in place to prevent and control the spread of diseases to the livestock and poultry sectors. In all cases where federally-regulated diseases are suspected or confirmed, the goal is to take appropriate disease control measures while minimizing disruptions to producers.
The CFIA works closely with affected producers, industry associations and the province to support producers in returning to normal operations as quickly as possible. The Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations will guide compensation payments for the affected producer.
Minimizing trade disruptions
The CFIA will declare a primary control zone (PCZ), a geographical boundary with applied movement restrictions, when we detect Newcastle disease in poultry within a zone or within 10 km of an infected premises.
These zones will require movement controls and permitting for those looking to move birds or bird products through the zone boundaries.The establishment of primary control zones is an important measure for maintaining international trade with some countries for producers outside of PCZs, and resuming trade for producers inside PCZs after a control zone has been revoked.
Newcastle disease is a viral disease that can affect a wide variety of avian species, both wild birds and domestic fowl. Newcastle disease is mainly transmitted by direct contact with diseased or carrier birds. Infected birds can shed the virus in feces, contaminating the environment where it survives for days in litter, feed, water, soil, carcasses, eggs, and feathers, and can also spread via contaminated materials and equipment.
Low risk to public health
In humans, the Newcastle disease virus can cause conjunctivitis (pink eye). Such cases occur occasionally in laboratory or farm workers that are not wearing protective eyewear. The risk of contracting this form of disease by the public is minimal, particularly if gloves are worn to handle sick birds. Hands should also be washed with soap and water after handling sick birds.
Newcastle disease is not a food safety concern. Properly handled and cooked poultry products are safe to eat. Date modified: 2025-06-19
June 19, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario
On June 4, 2025, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) detected avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) results from a commercial poultry operation of pigeons in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia (BC). Movement controls were placed on the infected premises (IP) after confirmatory testing was completed at the CFIA's National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease laboratory (NCFAD). The virus was identified to be a strain of PPMV-1 adapted to pigeons consistent with Newcastle disease. This is the first case of Newcastle disease in Canada since 1973.
Response and next steps
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. These response actions will help to prevent the spread of the virus to commercial poultry operations in the surrounding area.
The CFIA conducts inspections and has monitoring and testing programs in place to prevent and control the spread of diseases to the livestock and poultry sectors. In all cases where federally-regulated diseases are suspected or confirmed, the goal is to take appropriate disease control measures while minimizing disruptions to producers.
The CFIA works closely with affected producers, industry associations and the province to support producers in returning to normal operations as quickly as possible. The Compensation for Destroyed Animals and Things Regulations will guide compensation payments for the affected producer.
Minimizing trade disruptions
The CFIA will declare a primary control zone (PCZ), a geographical boundary with applied movement restrictions, when we detect Newcastle disease in poultry within a zone or within 10 km of an infected premises.
These zones will require movement controls and permitting for those looking to move birds or bird products through the zone boundaries.The establishment of primary control zones is an important measure for maintaining international trade with some countries for producers outside of PCZs, and resuming trade for producers inside PCZs after a control zone has been revoked.
Newcastle disease is a viral disease that can affect a wide variety of avian species, both wild birds and domestic fowl. Newcastle disease is mainly transmitted by direct contact with diseased or carrier birds. Infected birds can shed the virus in feces, contaminating the environment where it survives for days in litter, feed, water, soil, carcasses, eggs, and feathers, and can also spread via contaminated materials and equipment.
Low risk to public health
In humans, the Newcastle disease virus can cause conjunctivitis (pink eye). Such cases occur occasionally in laboratory or farm workers that are not wearing protective eyewear. The risk of contracting this form of disease by the public is minimal, particularly if gloves are worn to handle sick birds. Hands should also be washed with soap and water after handling sick birds.
Newcastle disease is not a food safety concern. Properly handled and cooked poultry products are safe to eat. Date modified: 2025-06-19
