Image: Canadian Press / Canadian Inspection Food Agency sign.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Rare disease located in Chilliwack

Canadian Food Inspection Agency finds rare disease at Chilliwack commercial pigeon premises

Jun 19, 2025 | 6:07 AM

CHILLIWACK — Personnel at Canada’s federal food inspection agency say they have uncovered a case of Newcastle disease at a commercial pigeon operation in Chilliwack, requiring the birds to be culled and the premises to be disinfected.

According to a report from the Canadian Press, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the virus affects both wild and domestic birds and can cause pink eye in humans.

The location of the commercial pigeon operation in Chilliwack was not identified.

CFIA says the ailment is very concerning to the world’s agricultural community because it is highly contagious and threatens poultry.

The agency reports that mild strains affect domestic poultry and pigeons and more severe strains can kill chickens.

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It says Newcastle disease can decrease egg production in domestic birds and cause high numbers of sudden deaths in a flock, while wild birds can develop wing paralysis and be left unable to fly.

CFIA believes the risk to humans is low if gloves are worn while handling infected birds, and that the disease was rarely found to kill wild birds before 1990.