Canadian Government Promotes 'Bird Health Basics' Campaign
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.
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. CFIA will hold additional sessions in other regions later in the year.
The 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. CFIA has also produced an animated biosecurity video, which the agency says 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.