Hi All,
Many will be aware that waterfowl carry the Ross River Fever (aka
Murray River Encephalitis) virus in Australia, the bird-human vector being
mosquitoes. It is not uncommon and a large percentage of people brought up
along the Murray River have had subclinical infection, a few die from it.
Psitticosis, a disease picked up from parrots, is not particularly
rare among aviculturists. Avian Tuberculosis, caused by several possible
mycobacteria but usually M avium, can infect susceptible humans, ie those
with immune deficiencies, but this is rare.
Personally I'd get much more excited about ticking a Princess
Parrot than the possibility of picking up Avian flu in Australia.
Cheers
Michael
Michael Hunter
Mulgoa Valley
50km west of Sydney Harbour Bridge
Scanned by PeNiCillin http://safe-t-net.pnc.com.au/
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