For those of you who have free range chickens or poultry, this may be a good opportunity to have our questions addressed, as organic or non-organic producers.
________________________________
From: MSUE ALL EMPLOYEES on behalf of Hansen, Mark F.
Sent: Sat 4/1/2006 2:56 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Emergency Management 1-Minute Tip: Small Poulty Flocks & Bird Flu
AVIAN INFLUENZA - SMALL POULTRY FLOCK PRODUCER SEMINARS
As the United States and Michigan prepare to deal with avian influenza H5N1 virus, one of the most important groups that we must reach is the small poultry flock owners. Avian influenza has not yet reached the US, however experts agree that it is only a matter of "when", not "if". While avian influenza is a disease of poultry, ducks and geese, the H5N1 virus has already proven that it can be transmitted from poultry to humans with severe results. To-date, the disease has not yet shown its ability to pass from human to human, although medical experts believe with a mutation of the virus, this could also occur, causing a pandemic.
The commercial poultry industry has had an intensive biosecurity plan in place for several years, and we are confident that the industry is preparing itself well for H5N1. Our largest concern is for small flock poultry owners, particularly free-range poultry where domestic chickens, turkeys and ducks may share common feeding/living areas with wild birds. In Asia and Europe, this is how H5N1 has transferred to domestic poultry and then to humans. In this regard, MSU Extension is working with the MSU Diagnostic Center for Population & Animal Health, and other agencies and organizations to offer seven educational seminars around the state on small flock biosecurity.
We would like your help in sharing the locations and dates (below) for these seminars. Please make sure to note that these seminars are NOT meant to address pandemic flu or deal with general public issues. That will happen soon and may already be offered in your area by local health departments. Questions and answers on a possible pandemic and the human issues of H5N1 are available at both the CDC and APHIS websites.
These seven seminars are designed SPECIFICALLY to help small flock poultry owners learn more about the H5N1 virus and how to implement biosecurity practices at their home or farm. The goal for these educational seminars is to reduce chances that the small flocks would contract the virus from wild birds. Here are the dates and locations. If you have questions, please contact Paul Wylie with MSUE at (269) 673-0307, or preferably, the contact listed below for the respective seminar.
Schedule of Small Flock Avian Influenza H5N1 Meetings
#1. SW MI Thursday, April 6, 6-9 pm
Dowagiac at the Dowagiac Conservation Club at 54551 M-51 N Dowagiac, MI 49047
The phone number at the Club is 269-782-5508. Contact for reservations is Sue at 269 782-9161
Capacity ~100 (Clients contact Dan Rajzer Cass County MSUE 269-45-4438)
Lansing to Dowagiac is 120 miles & 2 hours
#2 Thumb Area Thursday, April 13, 6-9 pm
Lapeer County Ed-Tech Center, 690 N. Lake Pleasant Attica MI 48412
Capacity 200 The contact there is Kristen Ball, ph. 810-667-6132, e-mail [log in to unmask]
(Clients contact Phil Kaatz {Katez} Lapeer MSUE 810-667-0341)
Lansing to Attica is 85 miles and 1.3 hours
#3 SE MI Tuesday, April 18, 6-9 pm
Cabala's at Dundee intersection of M-51 & US-23 (Clients contact Ned Birkey, Monroe County MSUE at 734-240-3170) Capacity 182
Lansing to Dundee is 91 miles and 1.5 hours (9am-11am meeting)
#4 Central MI Tuesday, April 25, 6-9 pm
Bay City Delta College, Room S-105 1961, Delta Rd. University Center, MI 48710 (The contact there is Floyd Hoffman at 989-686-9000) Capacity 102
(Clients contact Bay County MSUE at 989 -895-4026)
E. Lansing to Bay City is 100 miles and 1.5 hours
#5 NW MI Thursday May 4th, 6-9 pm
Wexford MSUE office 401 N. Lake St. Cadillac, MI 49601
Capacity 75 (Clients contact Sherry at 231-779-9480)
Cadillac to Lansing = 130 miles ~2.3 hours
#6 Upper Peninsula
Friday May 5th, 6-9 pm Eastern time in at the Kinross township hall, 310 Curtis, Kincheloe, MI 49788
(Clients contact Jim Lucas, Chippewa MSUE at 906-635-6368)
Lansing to Kinross =270 miles ~4 hours Friday pm
Cadillac to Kinross 185 miles & 3 hours
#7 Upper Peninsula
Saturday May 6 at the Menominee MSUE office S904 US 41 Stephenson, MI 49887 in Menominee County at either 1 pm Central time
Capacity 80 (Clients contact Mike Erdman, Menominee MSUE at 800-236-1678 or 906-753-2209)
St. Ignace to Stephenson =185 miles ~3.5 hours
Stephenson to Lansing = 420 miles & 7 hours
Mark F. Hansen, Ph.D. .......... _/) ..........
MSU Extension
11 Agriculture Hall, MSU
East Lansing, MI 48824-1039
Ph: 517-432-7696 Fx: 517-432-1048
Email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Web: www.msue.msu.edu/emergency <http://www.msue.msu.edu/emergency>
