Media release

From Indian Myna control to backyard chooks, vets from Australia and abroad will flock to Canberra today for a three day conference focusing on everything feathered.

The combined Australian Avian Veterinary Medical Association (AAVMA) and Association of Avian Veterinarians – Australasian Committee (AAAVAC) annual conference is the largest of its kind in Australia.

The conference will cover topics including the recent pigeon disease outbreak in Victoria, the treatment of gunshot wounds in birds, and influenza in wild bird populations.

Key speakers are:

Tony Peacock- talking about his work with the Invasive Animal CRC in Canberra to develop an effective community based approach to the control of an introduced pest, the Indian Myna.

Lee Cook- from the NSW Department of Primary Industries who will be talking about health issues associated with the hugely popular backyard chook industry.

David Gordon– from the Australian National University talking about how different species experience the same disease.

Dr Kimberley Earl, President of the Australian Avian Veterinary Medical Association, said: “With the recent outbreak of avian paramyxovirus in pigeons in Victoria, and the ever present threat of bird-borne disease in the north of Australia, bird health is an important but often overlooked national issue.

“With so many top bird vets in one place at one time we expecting to learn even more about the interaction between human and bird disease,” she said.