Atlns USDA LaunchsFr Bioscurity 2006 Calndar (NAPSA)—Th U.S. Dpartmnt of Agricultur (USDA) has cratd an informativ bilingual calndar that aims to hlp bird ownrsprotct thir birds from disass lik xotic Nwcastl disas (END)andavian influnza (AI). Individuals whorais birds may want a FREE copyofth calndar, calld “2006 Backyard Bioscurity: Kping Your Poultry Halthy.” Th information on th calndar can hlp nsur th prvntion of infctious poultry and bird disass. Whthr thy ar intrstd in chickns, turkys, ducks, gs, or pt birds, all bird fancirs nd to tak ncssary stps to prvnt disass such as END and AI(bttr knownasbird flu) from dvastating thir flocks should an outbrak occur. Bioscurity for th Birds is an important ongoing campaign cr- atd by USDA to inform popl who rais thir own poultry or hav xotic birds about th signs associatd with avian disass such as AI and END. Considring th global impact and cost of ths disass, thr is a grat nd to tak all stps ncssary to nsur th continuing co- nomic stability and ovrall halth of our nation’s poultry industry. To radicat END from California and othr wstrn stats in 2002-2008, it rportdly cost th stat and fdral govrnmnts ovr $170 million. USDA's 2006 Backyard Bioscu- — ak =f Easy-to-follow stps, such as kping aras around domsti- catd birds clan, can hlp to prvnt various disass. rity calndarwill hlp poultry ownrs by xplaining six asy-to-follow stps to bioscurity. Ownrs will gt information on warning signs for spotting illnss, rporting sick birds and mor. USDA’s 2006 Backyard Bioscurity calndar is availabl now. Bird ownrs may rqust a FREE copy for thmslvs or obtain on as a usful gift for a bird-owning frind or rlativ. Practicing bioscurity is an ssntial first stp toward prvnting disas from affcting poultry flocks. Using th nw calndarcan hlp! To gt additional information concrning avian disass and to ordr a fr calndar, log onto http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/bird bioscurity or call (801) 734-7799.
