Press Release

Madelaine Fletcher	(301) 734-6125
Jerry Redding	(202) 720-6959

USDA OFFERS FREE “BIOSECURITY FOR THE BIRDS” VIDEO OR DVD

Features Tips to Protect Birds Against Disease Outbreak

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2005—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant health Inspection Service is offering a free 15–minute video on preventing exotic Newcastle disease (END) and Avian influenza (AI) for small flock poultry owners and bird fanciers.

The video, part of USDA’s Biosecurity for the Birds campaign, is also available in DVD format. The video or DVD can be ordered by calling (301) 734-7799 or by e–mailing birdbiosecurity@aphis.usda.gov.

An outbreak of END in California and other western states in 2002 and2003 resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of birds and cost taxpayers and bird owners hundreds of millions in eradication cost and lost poultry and jobs.

Following the eradication of that outbreak, USDA created the Biosecurity for the Birds campaign to inform noncommercial poultry owners and bird fanciers about the signs of serious poultry diseases, to ask them to report sick birds and to give them information on practicing backyard biosecurity to keep their birds safe and healthy.

In addition to discussing how to recognize and report END and AI, the video includes tips to help bird owners prevent the spread of these and other avian diseases in the first place. These tips include:

Wash hands thoroughly with soap, water and a disinfectant before entering an area where birds are kept.
Keep cages, food and water clean on a daily basis. Clean and disinfect equipment that comes in contact with birds or their droppings, including feed scoops, shovels, rakes and brooms.
Clean and disinfect car and truck tires, poultry cages and equipment when traveling to a location where other birds are present.
When taking birds to a fair or exhibition, keep those birds separated from the rest of the flock and watch them for at least two weeks after the event to ensure that they didn’t pick up a disease.
Keep new birds separate for at least 30 days before incorporating them into the flock.
Do not share birds, lawn and garden equipment, tools or poultry supplies with neighbors or other bird owners.
Call the local cooperative extension office, local veterinarian, the state veterinarian or USDA veterinary services office to report sick or dead birds. USDA operates a toll–free line (1–866–536–7593) with veterinarians who can help.

For more information on how to recognize the signs of END and AI and additional steps that can be taken to protect birds, visit the Internet at this Web address: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity.

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