Multi-language messages aimed at preventing bird flu

Jul 6, 2006 10:11 am US/Central

Non-English Speakers Targeted For Bird Flu Message

(AP) Minneapolis As part of preparations for a possible bird flu outbreak, Minnesota health officials are taping public health announcements in six languages that are aimed at people who raise chickens at their homes.

Most major poultry producers, from Jennie-O Turkey Store in Willmar to Gold'n Plump in St. Cloud, have biological security measures in place. But industry officials worry that migratory birds could infect back-yard flocks, particularly those raised by a growing number of immigrants.

Fears about bird flu have caused poultry consumption to plummet in other countries, but authorities say you won't get it from birds that are properly handled and cooked.

In the effort to reach new immigrants, local health departments and other agencies have collaborated on a program that will air from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Aug. 27 on Twin Cities Public Television, Ch. 17. The show, "Keeping Birds Free of Influenza," will be broadcast in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Lao and Khmer, with English captions.

"We feel that there's a lot of these ethnic groups that are raising their own birds, as well as going to live-bird markets," said Kevin Elfering, director of dairy and food inspections at the Minnesota Agriculture Department.

On the program, Elfering -- with the help of translators -- discusses how wild ducks and geese and their droppings can spread the disease. He describes the difference between mild and deadly forms of bird flu, and the symptoms. He tries to make consumers comfortable with the idea of calling veterinarians and other public health officials.

Strains of the bird disease have surfaced in U.S. flocks, but not the deadly subtype H5N1, which has spread from Asia to Africa.

The disease is most often detected after fowl die. A major part of the education effort is to provide people who raise back-yard chickens with contacts to call, from veterinarians to the University of Minnesota's veterinary laboratory to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

(© 2006 The Associated Press.