Avian Health Program
To guard against the
risk of a future avian disease outbreak, CDFA and USDA formed the
Avian Health Program. The program promotes disease recognition and
prevention for backyard and hobby bird owners and the commercial avian
industry. The ban on the sale and exhibition of poultry was modified
and CDFA retains the authority to monitor and test poultry sales
venues to prevent disease.
The program staff have been actively engaged in producing and distributing educational materials, testing birds for avian diseases and providing training on disease prevention methods to the general public as well commercial poultry farms. A list of the materials and products produced follows:
- Leaflets and fact sheets about disease prevention through biosecurity.
- Training videos materials (also available in CD and DVD formats) about disease prevention.
- Customized PowerPoint presentations about biosecurity
- Testing program to monitor birds for avian diseases at swap meets, backyard bird properties and at commercial poultry farms
- Biosecurity training and certification materials, developed by the AHP and Sacramento Headquarter CDFA staff, are available on–line to provide interactive training and other disease prevention information.
- A toll–free phone number is operational to report sick birds or obtain additional information at 1–800–491–1899.
AHP representatives make the above materials available to a wide audience that includes: bird shows, local county fairs, pet stores, swap meets, feed stores, commercial poultry facilities veterinarians, pet stores, feed stores, bird clubs, animal control officers, 4–H and FFA clubs and other community venues where bird owners are in attendance. Staff is also available to make presentations at community or other events. For more information about these materials, please call 1–800–491–1899 or 909–947–4462.
Return to Avian Health Home Page
Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch
1220 N Street, Room A-107
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-1447
Fax: (916) 653-2215
or send an email to: ahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov