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Newsroom > News Releases / Information Bulletins PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN WILD BIRD SURVEYOttawa, October 4, 2006 - The Government of Canada and the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre are reminding Canadians to report findings of dead wild birds for disease testing. Canada launched its second annual survey to monitor the many strains of avian influenza naturally present in wild bird populations in May, 2006. An important component of this program is testing of dead birds, which depends on a significant level of public participation and vigilance. Anyone noticing dead birds - particularly waterfowl such as ducks and geese or significant numbers of dead birds in one location - should report these findings and avoid touching the birds. Findings of dead birds should be reported to the Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre at 1-866-544-4744 or http://wildlife1.usask.ca. People reporting birds will be directed to the proper provincial or territorial authority. Viruses circulating in wild birds generally pose low risks to human health. To date, no influenza viruses of concern have been detected in the survey. Nonetheless, as a general precaution, the public should limit contact with live or dead wild birds. For information on handling wild birds, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/fs-hwb-fr-mos_e.html. Information gained through this survey is helping Canadian animal health experts better understand the influenza viruses present in resident and migratory bird populations. In certain situations, testing of wild birds provides an early warning system for some pathogens of concern to human or domestic poultry health. -30- For information: Environment Canada Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre Canadian Food Inspection Agency Alain Desroches |
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