Our center, with administrative support and as part of its ongoing scientific activities, held a workshop on “Bird Diseases (Parasitic, Viral, Bacterial): Causes, Prevention, and Treatment” on Monday, February 3, 2025. Organized by the workshops and seminars committee, led by Assistant Professor Dr. Hana Hani Al-Saffar, the workshop was managed by Assistant Lecturer Ali Kamel Wanas and presented by Professor Dr. Afkar Muslim Hadi, Lecturer Dr. Zainab Alwan Makkawi, and Assistant Lecturer Khalida Ibrahim Hassoun.
The presenters explained that both domestic and wild birds are susceptible to numerous infectious and often fatal diseases. The danger of these diseases lies in their sudden onset, rapid spread, and difficulty of control, particularly in the case of viral diseases. Diseases were categorized by cause: viral, bacterial, parasitic, fungal, and those resulting from malnutrition.
The workshop aimed to identify these various bird diseases, encompassing viral, parasitic, bacterial, fungal, and nutritional deficiencies. The goal was to help preserve poultry flocks, ornamental birds, and birds raised in cages, given the significant economic importance of poultry and pigeons. The workshop also emphasized the importance of vaccination, especially as some bird diseases can be transmitted to humans.
Several recommendations emerged from the workshop, including:
- Comprehensive care for breeding birds, particularly poultry, covering all aspects of their well-being.
- Maintaining clean cages and breeding facilities, and controlling harmful insects within these spaces.
- Adhering to regular vaccination schedules for breeding birds, such as poultry, as a crucial preventative measure.
- Managing disease outbreaks by isolating infected birds and disposing of them safely to prevent further spread.
We commend our faculty for their dedication to serving society, science, and knowledge.