There are a number of ways that highly pathogenic H5N1 could potentially
reach the United States -- wild bird migration , illegal smuggling of birds or
poultry products, travel by infected people or people traveling with virus-
contaminated articles from regions where H5N1 already exists.S. The
U.S.

* Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared
for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your
home. More than
2,500 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the
nation have received support from the Foundation.

Sites about wild birds can be found in the Recreation/Outdoors/Wildlife/Birds area, and sites about landfowl and waterfowl are found in Science/Agriculture/Animals/Birds/Poultry, and Home/Rural_Living/Hobby_Farms /Poultry.

lovebirds feathered

Department of the Interior and U.
Monitoring is conducted in four key areas: live bird markets , commercial
flocks, backyard flocks and migratory bird populations. To help backyard and smaller poultry
producers, the USDA "Biosecurity for the Birds" program provides important
information about reducing the chances of birds becoming infected with AI.S. public health departments with a series of alerts providing
recommendations for enhanced monitoring for highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza
in the U. The
alerts also recommended measures for laboratory testing for suspected highly
pathogenic H5N1 virus.

Knowing the facts is the best preparation. Links
are available to each state department of public health at
http://www.nwhc. PETCO further
encourages adoptions by offering new pet parents Adoption Gift Booklets with
up to $180 in discounts on PETCO products and services.

aviary waterfowl

Government is
taking steps to prepare for and minimize the potential impact of bird flu.

* The 1924 H7 outbreak was contained and eradicated in East Coast live
bird markets. Department of Agriculture
have proactive interagency efforts underway to monitor wild migratory birds in
the United States and to test statistically significant samples of populations
of various migratory bird species for avian influenza. Suspected
findings of highly pathogenic avian influenza will be further tested and
diagnosed by the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory lab in Ames ,
Iowa. Additionally, USDA has increased its monitoring of
domestic commercial markets for illegally smuggled poultry and poultry
products.

Guidance for handling wildlife
The Department of Interior's National Wildlife Health Center has issued
guidance to follow routine precautions when handling wild birds.

* Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game,
wash hands with soap and water (or with alcohol-based hand products if
the hands are not visibly soiled), and thoroughly clean knives,
equipment and surfaces that come in contact with game.

* Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency
response .usgs.gov/avian_influenza.
"With the National Pet Adoption Days effort, we hope to call attention to
the plight of homeless pets across the country," says Betsy Saul, President of
Petfinder.

feeders avian

This enhanced monitoring program
will provide an early warning to the agriculture, public health and wildlife
communities should migratory birds be found to carry the highly pathogenic
H5N1 virus. The remaining samples will be initially tested at labs
certified by USDA in the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. Department of Health and Human Services is aggressively working with a
team of federal, state and industry partners to ensure public health is
protected. Nonetheless, the HHS has been preparing for pandemic
influenza for several years. Weekend Adoption Drive to Find Forever Homes for Orphaned Pets, April 2-3

SAN DIEGO, As part of PETCO's ongoing mission to
find forever homes for orphaned animals, PETCO stores across the country will
participate in the 8th annual National Pet Adoption Days the weekend of April
2-3.
With the support of Petfinder.com.

aviary birds

com offers a searchable database of adoptable companion
animals.

canaries lovebirds

WASHINGTON, Avian Influenza (AI) -- the bird flu
-- is a disease caused by a virus that infects domestic poultry and wild birds
(geese and ducks and shorebirds).S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have been working for the past several months
with State of Alaska biologists to strategically sample live birds, hunter
taken birds, sentinel flocks, and the environment used by these targeted
populations for highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu in the Pacific Flyway. The
Interagency Strategic Plan for monitoring of wild birds, which expands and
intensifies their program in 2006, focuses on this Alaska area because it is a
flyway crossroads for migratory birds that annually return from their winter
migration in Asia, and come in contact with other North American migratory
birds that return to Alaska in the spring from wintering areas in the southern
United States and Central America.

* Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand,
including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines,
fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.

harmful rearing

* In 2004, USDA confirmed an H5N2 outbreak in chickens in the southern
United States.
The U. Department of Homeland
Security's U.

* Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at
http://www.usda.gov/birdflu

* http://www.

webteam landfowl

The vaccine would be used to create a
firewall around a quarantine to prevent spread.

* Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds before and
after handling food;

* Prevent cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, fish, and
their juices away from other foods;

* After cutting raw meats, wash cutting board , knife, and counter tops
with hot, soapy water;

* Sanitize cutting boards by using a solution of 1 teaspoon chlorine
bleach in 1 quart of water; and

* Use a food thermometer to ensure food has reached the safe internal
temperature -- in all parts of the bird., it does not signal an
influenza pandemic.5 million animals.

feeders webteam

* The 1983-84 H5N2 outbreak resulted in the destruction of approximately
17 million chickens, turkeys and guinea fowl in the northeastern U. As part of this enhanced
monitoring, in 2006 USDA, DOI and its cooperators plan to test between 75,000
to 100,000 samples from live and dead birds. Fish and Wildlife Service works with USDA to
communicate these trade restrictions to the pet bird trade community and
incorporates them into decisions on permits it issues for wild bird trade.

Food Safety
Eating properly handled and cooked poultry is safe.

Additional Information
For more information about avian influenza:

* http://www.
PETCO's strategy is to offer its customers a complete assortment of
pet-related products and services at competitive prices, with superior levels
of customer service at convenient locations, by hiring pet lovers and training
them to become counselors to our pet-loving customers.com adoption partners found homes for more than
1.

parrotlets feeders

S. In rare cases, it can be spread from birds to people primarily as a
result of extensive direct contact with raw infected poultry or poultry
droppings.
To plan for a pandemic:

* Store a supply of water and food.

* Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television,
and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and Web-based
information.

birds feeders

The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found in an
increasing number of countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. It is likely the highly
pathogenic H5N1 strain will spread to this country, and the U.

Monitoring Bird Health in the U.
Testing also is being carried out in other migratory bird flyways in
cooperation with state and local agencies. More than 450 million people visit Interior lands annually. Another 70 million doses are in development.html."

PETCO (Nasdaq: PETC) is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food,
supplies and services with a commitment to quality animal care and education .

sanctuaries landfowl

Each year, there is a bird flu season just
as there is for humans and, as with people, some forms of the flu are worse
than others.

Bird Import Restrictions
As a primary safeguard , USDA maintains trade restrictions on the
importation of poultry and poultry products from countries where the H5N1 HPAI
strain has been detected in commercial or traditionally raised poultry, not in
wild or migratory birds.S.

Planning for Pandemic Influenza
Should highly pathogenic H5N1 arrive in the U.gov.pandemicflu.com is the nation's largest and oldest online adoption
community .

birdhouses feathered

The disease was quickly eradicated thanks to close
coordination and cooperation between USDA, state, local and industry
leaders.S. Additionally, birds are
tested that show signs of illness. Even if it did, proper cooking kills
this virus just as it does many other disease organisms and parasites.S. Identify sources you can count
on for reliable information.com, the nation's leading internet-based
animal adoption organization, PETCO and the PETCO Foundation matched
12,511 animals with loving homes during the 2004 campaign. As part of the program, PETCO encourages customers to seek adoptable
animals in the community as a first option, providing informational kiosks and
in-store adoption opportunities to a larger variety of rescue organizations.PETCO.

lovebirds phils

USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Interior's Fish
and Wildlife Service also works with the U .-origin pet birds.S. Cook poultry to at least 1650 F
to kill foodborne germs that might be present, including the avian
influenza virus.

* Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza
pandemic. PETCO, the PETCO
Foundation and Petfinder . "We hope events such as this will help the community realize
that adoption is the best option for adding a new companion animal to the
family, and that millions of great pets are available for adoption every day
of the year.

parrotlets landfowl

Currently, H5N1
avian influenza is not present in the United States.
Since 1998, USDA and the University of Alaska have tested more than 12,000
wild migratory birds in AK and since 2000 USDA and the University of Georgia
have tested more than 4,000 wild birds in the Atlantic flyway. Eleven thousand of the live bird
samples will be initially screened by USGS at its Nat'l Wildlife Health Center
in Madison, WI. All imported live birds must be quarantined for 30 days at a USDA
quarantine facility and tested for the avian influenza virus before entering
the country.
Broad concerns about public health relate to the potential for the virus
to mutate , or change into a form that could spread from person to person.S. This line is available in English and Spanish, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.com all make the adoption of homeless animals a
year-round cause, but have selected April 2-3 as a special weekend to focus
their combined energies .

kept harmful

Historically, highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza have been
detected in domestic poultry populations three times in the United States: in
1924, 1983 and 2004.S. All birds
tested negative for highly pathogenic H5N1. The Center
recommends that people handling wild birds:

* Do not handle birds that are obviously sick or birds found dead.
Since February 2004, HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
has provided U.S. This can be useful in other types of
emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.

* Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they
are sick. TTY: 1-888-232-6348 .

feathered corresponding

In addition, USDA
researchers are developing faster diagnostic tests, enhanced vaccines for
birds and new information about how avian influenza spreads so that the United
States is better prepared for avian influenza outbreaks. PETCO operates more
than 720 neighborhood stores in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as
well as a leading destination for on-line pet food and supplies at
http: //www.

If the site is not in english then please look in World for the proper language and submit the site in there instead.

rearing poultry

S.) Interior
also has developed a departmental pandemic influenza plan to assure continuity
of operations.

* Cook all game meat thoroughly (at least to 1650 F) to kill disease
organisms and parasites. Ongoing preparations include the following:

* Working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and with other nations
to help detect human cases of bird flu and contain a flu pandemic, if
one begins

* Supporting the manufacturing and testing of influenza vaccines,
including finding more reliable and quicker ways to make large
quantities of vaccines

* Developing a national stockpile of antiviral drugs to help treat and
control the spread of disease

* Supporting the efforts of federal , state, tribal, and local health
agencies to prepare for and respond to pandemic influenza

* Working with federal agencies to prepare and to encourage communities,
businesses , and organizations to plan for pandemic influenza

Each individual and family should know both the magnitude of what can
happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions can be taken to help lessen
the impact of an influenza pandemic on themselves and their community.AvianFlu.gov

waterfowl aviary

USDA and Interior's agencies, including the U.S.S. domestic and wild bird populations .

* Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling or cleaning birds., the chance of infected poultry entering the
human food chain would be extremely low. Poultry
products imported to the U.

* Another source for information on pandemic influenza is the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1--800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636). Questions can be e-
mailed to cdcinfo@cdc.

* Look for information on your local and state government Web sites.
"There are millions of wonderful animals in shelters right now, waiting
for the chance of a lifetime," says Paul Jolly, Director of the PETCO
Foundation. Through the PETCO
Foundation , PETCO endeavors to be a community leader in promoting the welfare
of companion animals, as well as the importance of the human-animal bond.

cockatiels aviaries

Customs and Border Protection at major U. air and seaports
to inspect, examine and regulate the importation of live poultry, commercial
birds, pet birds and/or "hatching eggs." Interior land management agencies,
including the National Park Service, FWS , Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of
Indian Affairs and Bureau of Reclamation, are educating their employees and
working with stakeholder and support groups, and preparing protocols to
protect visitors and employees on public lands.
In addition, USDA monitors U. Home quarantine and testing for AI also is required for returning
U.S. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and
reliable information will be critical.pandemicflu. Working with more than 7,100 animal welfare organizations across
the country, Petfinder.

harmful birds

Because of the quick response, which included quarantine and
culling of birds, the disease was limited to one flock. Geological Survey and the
U.
USDA works closely with its federal, state and tribal partners, as well as
industry stakeholders to ensure that effective and coordinated emergency
response plans are ready should an outbreak HPAI occur.

S.gov.

PETCO Local Animal Shelters Join Paws for National Pet Adoption Days

Last year, Petfinder .

aviary lovebirds

S.S.
In the event of a highly pathogenic avian flu outbreak in the United
States, USDA maintains a bank of bird vaccines to protect healthy birds
outside a quarantine area, if necessary. The U. There have been no documented cases of human highly pathogenic H5N1
disease resulting from contact with wild birds. If highly pathogenic
H5N1 were detected in the U."
PETCO does not sell dogs or cats, and for almost 40 years has worked with
shelters to find homes for millions of adoptable animals .com. The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has
raised more than $21 million since inception in 1999.

Petfinder.

harmful aviaries

(Many of these lands provide
nesting, migration and wintering habitat for waterfowl and other migratory
birds.S.
Biosecurity refers to the application of practical , common sense management
practices to keep AI and other poultry diseases out of our commercial and
backyard flocks. Currently, USDA has 40 million
available bird vaccine doses, which have been proven effective against the
highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. must meet all safety standards applied to foods
produced in the U. During a pandemic, if you cannot get
to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for
you to have extra supplies on hand.

* Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be
sure to model that behavior. Stay home from work and school if sick. "That chance-the opportunity to share unconditional love with a
new family -- means the world to an orphaned animal, and we hope to make
wishes come true with this year's National Pet Adoption Days campaign.

This area of the Open Directory is for sites about domestic bred birds, mostly kept as pets, written in English.

feathered waterfowl

Frequent testing
occurs in live bird markets and commercial flocks.

Monitoring Human Health
At present, highly pathogenic avian influenza, such as the highly
pathogenic H5N1 strain, is a disease of birds and is not readily transmitted
to humans. Distributed through CDC's Health Alert Network, these alerts
reminded public health departments about recommendations for detecting,
diagnosing, and preventing the spread of highly pathogenic H5N1 virus.

feeders poultry

United States Prepares for Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

There have been no occurrences of highly pathogenic avian
influenza in wild birds in the United States and no significant human illness
resulted from any of these outbreaks. to
contain and eradicate the disease.

To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

* Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and
model the correct behavior.gov/plan/tab2.

* Talk to your local health care providers and public health officials .html

Also See: http://www. Working with more than 1,000 grassroots animal welfare groups
nationwide, PETCO locations will host in-store adoptions and raise awareness
to the solemn issue of pet overpopulation.
Last August, PETCO launched its "Think Adoption First" program, which
reaches out to shelters that offer small animals, reptiles, and birds for
adoption, in an effort to help find families for all homeless animals as well
as resources for customers interested in these diverse companion animal
groups.