OSTRICHGATE: The Expert Doctor Tells Us What Went Wrong With Jeff Wilson

Veterinary epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Wilson joins Melanie Wakelin to unpack the BC ostrich culling, why outbreak response best practices were not followed, and how failed governance magnified the harm. He outlines the Four Pillars of Outbreak Response, provides context on testing, immunity, and communication, and shares a constructive path forward so outrage can turn into action.

What We Cover:

• What actually happened at the BC ostrich farm and why it matters beyond one case
  
  

• The Four Pillars of Outbreak Response: leadership team, data, interventions, transparent communication
  
  

• How and why best practices broke down
  
  

• Testing vs detection of live virus, antibody evidence, and immunity
  
  

• Governance failures, accountability, and the role of CFIA
  
  

• Building collective solutions across industry, academia, and the public
  
  

• CORIN: a Canadian Outbreak Response Integration Network approach
  
  

• Practical actions for listeners and affected communities
  
  

Chapters:
00:00 Intro and why this episode
01:17 Overview of the BC ostrich situation
03:42 Where outbreak response failed
05:20 Dr. Wilson’s recommendation to the court
07:07 The Four Pillars of Outbreak Response explained
11:18 Data, testing, and why testing was blocked
12:23 Were birds culled without confirmed transmission
21:12 Antibody findings and immunity context
23:27 Public perception and CFIA credibility
29:56 The epidemic of failed governance
31:29 Judicial process concerns
34:30 Economics, trade, and incentives in poultry
38:03 How the industry can unite productively
44:30 What CFIA is mandated to do vs real outbreak response
47:21 Legal and civil implications ahead
51:37 Applying the pillars to broader social crises
52:03 How the public can help constructively
55:00 Where to follow up and closing

Key Takeaways:

• Outbreak response has validated best practices. Skipping them leads to avoidable harm.
  
  

• Data drives interventions. Without transparent testing and shared information, decisions degrade.
  
  

• Communication must be honest and multidirectional to maintain trust.
  
  

• Governance failures are systemic. Solutions require collaborative networks, not siloed authority.
  
  

• Channel grief and anger into action. Learn the pillars, contact representatives, support affected farmers, and engage with credible solution builders.
  
  

About the Guest:
Dr. Jeff Wilson is a veterinary epidemiologist and former professor at the University of Guelph with cross-appointment experience at the Public Health Agency of Canada. He specializes in outbreak response and leads networked efforts to solve complex problems through his social enterprise, Novometrics.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Four Pillars of Outbreak Response
  
  

• CORIN: Canadian Outbreak Response Integration Network
  
  

• Walkerton outbreak reference and public health training context
  
  

• Contact your Member of Parliament to request transparent, evidence-based outbreak management
  
  

Listener Actions:

• Learn the Four Pillars and share them with your network
  
  

• Write or call your MP asking for transparent, evidence-based outbreak response
  
  

• Support affected farmers with constructive advocacy and resources
  
  

• Watch or listen to the full conversation and share it with context
  
  

Connect with Melanie:

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Website: https://activateandilluminate.com/

Contact Us: [e-mail]

Melanie’s Businesses:

LifeVantage Representative: http://protandimcanada.lifevantage.com/

Episode References:

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Connect with Jeff Wilson

Dr. Jeff Wilson / President [e-mail] Novometrix Research Inc. www.novometrixinc.com