Government Helps Protect Backyard Birds From Avian Influenza

Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 29 Jan 2008 - 2:00 PST

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A national campaign, led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), is underway to promote Bird Health Basics-simple steps that owners of backyard flocks and pet birds can take to help protect their birds from dangerous diseases, such as avian influenza and exotic Newcastle disease.

The CFIA, in collaboration with provincial governments, is hosting a series of educational meetings to provide bird owners with information about how to help prevent and detect avian diseases, and what to expect if an outbreak occurs. The first of these sessions will be held in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia in early 2008. The CFIA will hold additional sessions in other regions later in the year.

The Bird Health Basics campaign also includes a 2008 calendar, which provides monthly tips on biosecurity-steps that help prevent the spread of viruses and other disease-causing agents. The CFIA has also produced an animated biosecurity video, which takes a light, yet informative approach to disease prevention. All Bird Health Basics materials can be obtained by calling the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 or by visiting www.inspection.gc.ca.

Beyond the campaign, the CFIA is providing support to stimulate the development of on-farm biosecurity technologies of interest to the Canadian poultry sector. A total of $3 million over five years is being provided to applicants for avian biosecurity-related projects.

Information about the full range of Government activities to help prevent, detect and respond to avian influenza outbreaks is available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency.