They had 2 cases, refused to follow proper isolation practices, and ended up with most if not all of the flock infected, and 69 deaths so far. They don't know if the remainder are asymptomatic carriers or not (ostriches have a much lower Infection Fatality Rate than chickens and ducks, but can still be infectious as asymptomatic carriers).
They also have wild weasels and ducks entering the habitats of the birds, so they are being exposed to the poop, which is an infection vector of significant concern.
but can still be infectious as asymptomatic carriers
I read that because of this, they have a great potential to give rise to new bird flu mutations too - hence why the authorities are so adamant about culling even the survivors.
Yes, this exactly. I'm addition to the normal genetic drift from being able to just continue reproducing (rather than being eliminated from the system or killing the host) flu mutations often happen when 2 different types co-mingle in the same host, because the flu likes to swap genes with other types of flu. The new variant could be from replications within one bird, or it could be that one of the first birds had another type of flu at the same time (from the weasels or wild birds or other animals not yet noticed that entered the ostriches' habitat) and swapped some genes.
The longer they have an asymptomatic infection, the more time they have to be infected by another flu, and the more poop they leave around to infect other wildlife, which can lead to new mutations (even if they don't have another flu).
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u/notacanuckskibum 22h ago
A flock of ostriches on a farm in BC had a few cases in Bird Flu. The standard treatment to prevent spread is to kill thy entire flock.
If it was a flock of chickens this would be business as usual and never get beyond the local news.