Bird Flu - news, comment & links

[8 May 2006] - So the swan that died of bird flu was an isolated incident, and the restrictions on poultry in the area has been lifted [More from the BBC site]. That's a relief to everyone. Meanwhile, there was an attack of bird flu in Norwich - but of the H7 strain, which does not affect humans, as opposed to the H5N1 strain, which is only contagious if you try very, very hard to catch it. Obviously there's no call for complacency - but things could have been a lot worse...

[7 April 2006] - The announcement yesterday that a swan in Scotland died of bird flu was inevitable. Fortunately there has been time for poultry farmers and others to make plans: poultry near the area where the swan was found is thus now being moved indoors.
See the BBC news story...

The last thing that is needed is a media frenzy and widespread panic. Sensible precautions should be sufficient for the time being. Don't even think about getting rid of your birds and cats - that would be highly irresponsible and wholly unnecessary. Common sense is a great virtue!

It's important to remember that this remains a disease of birds: it is very hard for humans to catch it. Those that caught it in SE Asia were usually poultry farmers living in proximity to their birds. If you were to hug a chicken that has bird flu and, while doing so, inhale deeply of its feathers, then you might get infected.

Bird flu will remain difficult to contract unless the virus mutates into a form that is transmissable between humans. That hasn't happened yet. Although bird flu may yet become the national disaster that it's been hyped up to be, it's worth recollecting the hysteria surrounding mad cow disease, which did not come close to being the epidemic that was being predicted.

As with any disease, the easy ways to transmit bird flu are through direct contact with faeces or other bodily secretions, or from contaminated food and water. Therefore, good hygiene is essential.

Naturewatch's top tip

Keep the food and water for your birds or animals under cover so that they cannot become contaminated by passing wild birds.
For more detailed advice, follow the links below.

Links & references

DEFRA - for detailed Government advice for you and your pets or livestock.

World Health Organisation - for a global perspective, with health advice and news.

BBC news feature - provides the background to the disease, including news stories, maps, and advice about looking after birds and pets.

New Scientist - for a more scientific account - including graphics of the H5N1 virus itself.

Antidote to hype - for a little perspective, try this article from Simon Jenkins of the Guardian.