THE CALIFORNIA AVIAN HEALTH EDUCATION NETWORK
Background:
In 2018, backyard and commercial poultry flocks in Southern California were significantly affected by a deadly outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND). Given the severity of the disease, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) worked together to identify cases of disease and stop its rapid spread.
One of the most successful methods used to contain disease spread and achieve eradication in midyear 2020 was biosecurity. This finding underscored the importance of educating everyone who owns and handles poultry about biosecurity best practices and how it can help to protect their birds from other common poultry diseases. Effective biosecurity is like putting a moat around your castle to keep invaders out.
In an effort to prevent future outbreaks of diseases like VND, CDFA established the California Avian Health Education Network (CAHEN).
Our Goal:
- To keep California domesticated bird populations free of foreign animal diseases (FAD) so as to prevent future outbreaks and devastation.
- To prevent the spread of a reportable avian disease, so that large-scale quarantines and emergency response activities can be avoided.
Our Partners:
CAHEN is a Southern California based community-focused network of partnerships for everyone dedicated to bird health in California
We work to engage community members and build effective partnerships between government agencies, academic institutions, avian health experts, bird enthusiasts, and various segments of associated industries.
Our Mission:
1.PREVENTION of FOREIGN ANIMAL DISEASE (FAD):
Through:
- education, training, and outreach to community partners;
- the promotion of community awareness, participation, and support of FAD control activities; and
- widespread adoption and implementation of biosecurity measures among all bird owners.
2.EARLY DETECTION of FAD:
Through the expansion of consistent and targeted passive and active surveillance testing.
- Passive surveillance includes: maintaining the Sick Bird Hotline and California Animal Health & Food Safety (CAHFS) lab backyard flock necropsy program
- Active surveillance includes:
- targeted testing of hobby flocks, feed store poultry, Live Bird Markets, commercial poultry farms and smaller independent poultry producers; and
- testing of poultry for international and interstate movement.
3.RAPID RESPONSE, CONTAINMENT & ERADICATION of FAD OUTBREAKS:
- By using personnel with established relationships within the community and related stakeholders; and
- With the aim to minimize impact to communities, the commercial flock industry, international trade, and taxpayers.
Our Programs:
HOBBY FLOCK QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS:
- Low risk hobby flocks can be certified based on voluntary participation in:
- routine surveillance sampling;
- education, training and outreach on bird husbandry and health issues;
- implementation of flock plans including biosecurity training and procedures; and
- fulfilling the requirement to report disease in their flocks.
- Flocks that do not qualify as low risk will have a similar quality assurance and certification program which will include the elements of the low risk flock program as well as a vaccination program for vND (virulent Newcastle Disease). The vaccination program will include extensive training in vaccination technique and timing, and vaccine handling.
RETAIL FEED STORE AND PET STORE QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM:
This Program includes:
- biosecurity plans, training and audits;
- monitoring of records and sources of poultry which are present in the store for disease traceability, and
- regular testing of birds in the stores.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND OUTREACH (ETO) FOR OTHER SECTORS OF THE AVIAN ENTHUSIAST COMMUNITY:
This Program includes:
- use of social media platforms and collaboration with community influencers;
- reaching out to young people via agriculture-oriented groups, youth activities, and by engaging teachers;
- providing outreach and initiating collaboration with local government partners, veterinary associations, universities, animal shelters, and wildlife support services; and
- supporting avian enthusiasts in their many pursuits!