| | "Keeping domestic birds away from wild birds makes sense," says Gerald Hauer, Assistant Chief Provincial Veterinarian with Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. "Housing them inside, or at least in a pen, is probably the easiest and most effective way to keep them safe."
While some countries have reacted to the spread of avian influenza with legislation that requires birds to be kept indoors, Alberta has not. "Every jurisdiction is different," says Hauer. "We examined the situation here in Alberta, and decided that is was not necessary to create legislation at this time. That said, we want every owner of chickens, ducks and geese to know how to keep their birds safe. It has never been a good idea to let birds wander around in the yard. Diseases such as avian influenza have been around for decades and can be contracted by allowing birds near ponds, dugouts or anywhere that wild waterfowl are or have been."
The current worry that the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu known as H5N1 will come to Canada has inspired people to think more about their birds' health. "Most people keep their birds controlled anyway," says Hauer. "Commercial producers usually keep their birds indoors, and most backyard owners have had enough experience with predators and diseases to know that birds are safer indoors or in a pen."
Hauer stresses that the danger from avian influenza in Alberta is likely no greater now than it has been in the past. "Mild forms of avian influenza have been in wild ducks for decades - for as long as we have been testing for it. We want people to realize that these viruses might pose a risk for their birds; however, if good biosecurity is practiced, there is very minimal risk."
For more information on biosecurity, visit the biosecurity webpage on Alberta Agriculture's website.
Contact: Dr. Gerald Hauer, DVM (780) 427-3448 |
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