An affidavit by Canada’s deputy chief veterinarian says new analysis has confirmed ostriches at a British Columbia farm that is fighting a cull order for its flock were sickened by a unique and more lethal strain of the avian influenza virus.

The affidavit by Dr. Cathy Furness with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency says further investigation of samples taken from the birds revealed the “novel reassortment” of the virus has “enhanced the pathogenicity” of the strain.

It says the strain was “among the most virulent” tested at Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory and even low doses killed mice within a few days.

But Furness says the CFIA doesn’t know how likely it is that the ostriches at the Edgewood, B.C., farm remain infected, or will become infected.

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