The Analogy Of Public Officials Putting Their Heads In The Sand Has Never Been More Accurate
As if the Avian Flu headlines weren’t concerning enough, a recent and bizarre international dispute is drawing attention: In British Columbia, a Canadian farm found that 27 of its ostriches tested positive for the H5N1 bird flu virus. Canadian public health authorities and veterinarians recommended immediate culling to prevent the disease’s spread.
Instead, high-profile Americans—including Dr. Oz, RFK Jr., and supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis—offered to relocate the infected ostriches to sanctuaries in Florida.
Yes, Florida—a stopover point in one of North America’s major bird migration flyways, connecting Canada, the U.S., and South America. Relocating infected birds to this region could potentially escalate the risk of spreading H5N1 to wild birds and beyond.
Reports and Reactions
- New York Times: Reported on the offer and the Canadian response, which emphasized that relocating sick birds is not an acceptable disease-control strategy.
- CBC News: Covered the political tension and the scientific community’s warning that moving infected animals undermines containment.
- New York Post: “Dr. Oz joins flock aiming to rescue Canadian ostriches facing death, offers his 900-acre Florida ranch: ‘Have to get them out’” Highlighted the public messaging from Dr. Oz and RFK Jr., who appealed emotionally to “rescue” the birds, even as scientists pleaded for responsible containment.
Why It Matters for Facility Management
Wild birds don’t care about borders. Introducing or allowing infected birds to live in outdoor environments—especially near flyways—creates real risk. Florida, in particular, is a corridor for birds traveling between Brazil and Canada. An outbreak in one region can quickly become a national or hemispheric crisis.
And there have already been reports of bird flu in Brazil affecting poultry supplies that are exported worldwide.
Bird droppings, feathers, and nesting materials on your property aren’t just unsightly—they’re disease vectors. If an infected bird visits your rooftop, HVAC unit, or loading dock, it could pose a health threat to staff and visitors.
Bell’s Bird Flu Mitigation Strategy
Bell Environmental protects campuses and commercial sites from bird risks with:
- Bird exclusion systems (netting, mesh, spikes, gels, shock track, campus treatments among other repellents and deterrents)
- Customized campus inspections
- Sanitation plans and cleanups
We design site-specific strategies for your building’s architecture, foot traffic, and exposure risk. Our team serves the NY–NJ–CT-PA area (and beyond) with a deep understanding of public health compliance and pest-related disease prevention.
Let’s keep your tenants, employees, and facilities safe.
📞 Call us at 877-376-1775 🔗 bellbirdcontrol.com
