October 3, 2006

Precautions urged for backyard poultry flocks in Canada's Manitoba province

Owners and processors of backyard or outdoor poultry flocks in Canada's Manitoba province are being urged to take added precautions at this time of year to avoid the possibility of bird flu being transmitted to domestic poultry or to people from migrating birds, the Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) announced Monday (Oct 2).

The precautions were urged as Manitoba attracts large numbers of waterfowl during spring and fall migrating periods.

MAFRI said in a press release that with large numbers of wild waterfowl in the province, the risk of poultry becoming infected with bird flu virus is higher now than at any time of the year.

Cooler temperatures also help the virus to stay alive in wild duck and goose droppings and in the water where the birds swim.