Animals have been domesticated for 10,000 years and the current outbreak of avian flu is the largest and most complex animal disease outbreak in history, with serious risks beyond poultry. Avian influenza risk especially rises when waterfowl migrate in the fall, Maurice Pitesky, University of California Cooperative Extension poultry specialist has developed the Waterfowl Alert Network to help farmers manage their cattle and poultry’s exposure to migratory birds when they are nearby. If farmers are aware and utilize the network it will reduce risk and prevent birds and cows from getting sick. Maurice holds a veterinary degree and a postgraduate degree in epidemiology. As a faculty member at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, he specializes in poultry health and food safety epidemiology – enhancing food safety and production efficiency. Waterfowl Alert Network (WFAN) helps agricultural producers reduce the spread of avian influenza by showing where migrating waterfowl are in relation to their farms. Using advanced radar modeling and field-tested epidemiological science, it provides daily risk forecasts that help poultry, cattle, and swine farms improve their biosecurity before the next outbreak strikes—giving producers a weather report for bird flu.
