Bird flu - wild birds

Tinkerbell · #1 (**permalink**) 17-10-2005, 03:06 PM

Does anyone have any idea whether wild birds have been dying in the countries where bird flu has been found in chicken/turkeys etc.? We keep hearing about the potential direct human consequences, but are the wild birds carrying this virus recovering sometimes, or are they all dying? If they are, surely this will have a knock on effect on all ecology at some stage i.e. the natural cycles of predation etc.

Helen · #2 (**permalink**) 17-10-2005, 06:00 PM

Hi Tinkerbell

There is a thread running at the moment regarding birdflu. http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...-bird-flu.html

In it I mentioned some websites that are full of information about the H5N1 virus. "Apparantly" wild birds are carriers of this virus. A while back, I was tracking this story before the "meedja" in this country had the slightest interest in it.

Now it is driving me up the wall with the constant "let's put the fear of God into everyone" drivel that is so indicative of todays media.

Approximately (I don't have the correct figures to hand at the moment) 50/60 people have died in the Far East so far.

Take a look at some of the old news stories on google regarding this flu.

Helen · #3 (**permalink**) 17-10-2005, 06:02 PM

Have a look at what some people are saying about it on this site:

http://www.drmartinwilliams.com/comp...,7/&Itemid=155

Fourwings · #4 (**permalink**) 17-10-2005, 06:08 PM

I agree with you entirely Helen, this whole thing needs to be put firmly in context, there have only been just over 60 deaths atributed to H5N1 worldwide!!!!
There is absolutely no evidence of it evolving to allow cross-contamination in humans.

In my opinion if anything needs culling in this country at this point it is the media for using blatant scare tactics, purely to boost their sales!!

Tinkerbell · #5 (**permalink**) 17-10-2005, 06:15 PM

Thanks Helen. I've had a look at the link and if I've read things correctly some birds succumb, others die. It was the birds fate I was interested in, not the possible human outcome.

I completely agree about the media scare stories (though am not persuaded, myself, to become hysterical). 'Get things into perspective' comes to mind and report news, don't invent it!

StuartDH · #6 (**permalink**) 18-10-2005, 09:57 AM

There was a pretty good quick guide to the Bird-flu in the times last Sunday that went through a dozen of the basic questions, but nothing on wild birds.

119 infected since 1997, of which about half died and there are two suspected cases of human to human transmission.

They also point out that, despite major concerns, the global nuclear holocaust, global cooling, millenium bug, mad cow disease, the 9/11 anthrax and SARS never managed to kill us like everyone said they would - so no need to panic just yet.

henrya · #7 (**permalink**) 18-10-2005, 11:23 AM

There's another aspect to the topic 'Avian flu and wild birds'. Someone on Radio Cambridgeshire last night said he thought lots of people in his village had stopped feeding their garden birds because of all the press coverage. His evidence was that his bird feeders had been emptied in record time.

henrya

Helen · #8 (**permalink**) 18-10-2005, 05:09 PM

There you go Henrya.

It's an absolute joke. Although to be fair, I'm not sure that can be said to be evidence of people stopping feeding!

As I said, I was following this way back in June/July/August, reading the Reuters sites and other news sites, as well gleaning information from the WHO (World Health Organisation), the Centre for Disease Control website etc etc. Hardly anything was mentioned in this country about it then, maybe the odd report here and there. OK, fair enough one may say.

I may be wrong in this, but I would think the only people who should be "concerned" or "especially vigilant" for want of better words, are the poultry farmers that are situated close to marsh/wetlands etc where migratory birds are present. I don't know, I stand to be corrected on that.

When the flu hit Hong Kong a few years ago, they eliminated the virus by culling the population of poultry, as well as taking stringent hygiene measures etc. And here we are, ringing our hands, wondering whether or not "free range" poultry should be taken inside or not. (Apologies if this is being done already, not heard the news for the past day or so). I believe The Netherlands may already be doing this? Also, people in the Far East, tend to be in closer physical contact with poultry through the many live bird markets, people in most villages keeping poultry etc.

Rant over.
Agree with Stuart, where are the "millions" dying with Aids/SARS/Mad Cow disease etc etc?

wildone · #9 (**permalink**) 18-10-2005, 05:48 PM

As to feeding wildbirds, surely basic hygiene should have always been used. After handling feeders, wash your hands thoroughly. Or as I do, because I feed away from home, wear disposable gloves. It is not just Avian 'flu but salmonella and other horrors which have always been present.

henrya · #10 (**permalink**) 24-10-2005, 11:18 AM

There was a letter in the Daily Torygraph at the weekend, asking for advice. The writer said they had stopped feeding the birds but didn't like to see the birds wandering around looking hungry. The reply wasn't especially helpful. Let's hope not too many people are so daft!

henrya