UMaine Extension Mentioned in BDN Report on Preparing for Avian Flu
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension was mentioned in a Bangor Daily News report about state officials announcing they are preparing for a possible avian flu outbreak and taking steps to alert the public about how to help prevent or minimize its effect on domestic poultry. The state veterinarian and UMaine Extension veterinarians are closely monitoring the avian influenza viruses that have been detected in poultry flocks in western states and are offering disease prevention tips to poultry producers, including backyard chicken farmers, according to the article. The program is a joint effort between the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and UMaine Extension, with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to monitor for infectious diseases in Maine poultry, including avian influenza viruses. Dead birds may be submitted to the University of Maine Animal Health Lab in Orono for free virus testing, the article states. Call the lab, 581.2788, for details before submitting. The Maine Edge also carried a news release on the preparation plan.