Re: 'Bird flu' checks stepped up

["Colin Driscoll" <>]

My understanding is that the flyways for most of the waders bypass the areas where they are likely to collect the virus and that the more likely suspects are the likes of Magpie Geese and other waterfowl.

 

Cheers

 

Colin Driscoll

 

---

From: [ On Behalf Of
Sent: Wednesday, 28 September 2005 8:50 AM
To:
Cc:
Subject: [BIRDING-AUS] Re: 'Bird flu' checks stepped up

Finally!  I knew if I read all
of the postings to date before responding I would find at least one voice of
reason.  Andrew  wrote 
"The newspaper article
at question is
here:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=122977&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=28191
It
does not mention shooting hundreds of thousands of birds.

There are a
number of ways where epidemiology information regarding H5N1 in wild birds could
be useful.

For example, if H5N1 is prevalent in Sharp-tailed Sandpipers
we could close(the few) poultry farms where Sharp-tailed Sandpipers might come
in contact with poultry.  This would be prudent not only for the poultry
industry, but to reduce any contact with humans and hence the chance of
reassortment producing a strain where human-human transmission is a
problem." 

Commercial poultry farms in Australia are very aware of
the implications of bird flu and engage strict bio-security on farm.  It's
very unlikely that Andrew's hypothetical example would occur.  Having said
that I'm sure some poultry farmers are not entirely aware of the actual
likelihood of transmission from migratory birds to flocks in Australia.
 For example, at one stage there was information being disseminated through
the exhibition poultry fraternity that the poultry should have no access to
areas where any wild birds also have access, thus reducing transmission risk.
 I'm glad to say that common sense is now taking hold and there is a
better, but far from perfect, understanding of how this disease may spread among
hobbyists.  If bird flu were to get into poultry flocks in this country it
is far more likely to be through backyard flocks or smaller free-range
commercial flocks where bio-security is harder to implement.

What did they say on that old ad? - "oils
ain't oils".  We must also be aware that bird flu is endemic in many birds.
 It is the H5N1 strain that is causing concern.  The authorities are
well aware of this and I doubt you will find the mass slaughter of migratory
birds being advocated as a control measure just because they may be carrying a
benign strain of bird flu.  The problem arises when you get mass hysteria,
generally, fuelled by a media only interested in sensationalistic news stories.
 A story of a few hundred words leaves little room for well researched
facts! 

Personally, I think the most
likely way bird flu will get into Australia is via an aircraft.  Remember
SARS?  Well, at least with SARS the symptoms were obvious during the
infectious stage.  With flus you are infectious before the symptoms are
obvious.  Again, those trying to control the disease are aware of this,
thus the importance of developing vaccines. 

There's my two bobs worth. 

David Geering
Regent Honeyeater Recovery Coordinator
Department of
Environment & Conservation
P.O. Box 2111
Dubbo  NSW
 2830
Ph: 02 6883 5335 or Freecall 1800 621 056
Fax: 02 6884
9382



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