How can pet bird & backyard poultry owners help control & prevent END?
Besides jeopardizing the commercial industry, END also poses a threat to the caged-bird industry and poultry hobbyists. Birds smuggled into the U.S. illegally bypass the quarantining and testing procedures of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). If the birds are carrying the virus, owners and animal health officials may not discover the infection until an outbreak occurs. To protect the U.S. poultry and bird industry, owners of pet birds should: • Require suppliers to provide certification that birds were legally imported, or are of U.S. stock. Insist that the suppliers ensure birds are healthy prior to shipment, and that the birds will be transported in new or thoroughly disinfected containers. • Maintain records of all purchases,sales and shipments of birds. • Isolate all newly purchased birds for at least 30 days. Restrict the movement between new and old birds, and practice good biosecurity! How should suspicious cases be reported? Don’t wait! If you have unexpected death los
