H5 N1 in Fife

[Foxbat]

The worst has been confirmed. Bird Flu has made it to the UK - namely Fife (a beautiful part of the country with fine bird sanctuaries). Exclusion zones are in place and lets hope they work. I live about 30 miles south of Edinburgh (so I'm not that far away) with a fine large pond just across from my house. Right now there are Moorhen, Swans, Duck and a pair of Bittern. I just hope it doesn't spread and destroy these wonderful creatures.

Fingers crossed.

[I, Brian]

Not too far away from Clackmannanshire, either. Woke up to the news this morning, went outside for a fag and saw a large flock of geese flying over from the east.

There are often flocks of birds migrating over - reports say the swan was dead for days, so you can bet it's already well spread in the wild fowl population.

Great that there's an intensive chicken farm only a couple of mile up the road from me near Stirling, too.

[Foxbat]

It seems that it's the chicken population that's really at risk. Apparently wildfowl can carry but don't succumb as easily as chickens. The authorities are still trying to work out whether it's the first (an index as they call it) or just the first to be discovered in the UK (the second option means it may well already have a strong foothold in the country).

As far as I'm aware, the only dead mammal from avian flu in Europe so far was a cat in northern Germany. Apparently, it killed and ate an infected bird. Let's hope it doesn't get any worse than that.

[I, Brian]

The chicken population may suffer a higher mortality rate than, say, geese - but the point that I'm concerned about is that if HN51 is already spreading through the wild bird population of the UK, that makes for quite a home for the virus to develop and mututate.

Imagine that - the wild bird population of Britain as effectively a "no-go".

Two more deaths from bird-flu reported today as well, this time in Egypt:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/mid...st/4884720.stm

That report mentions that there are now two distinct strains of HN51 - though I believe the previous BBC report has distinct local variations even across Europe.

Probably come to nothing, then one day we'll find a completely new virus has erupted, and hit first before we've had a chance to develop the brooding hype and panic over it like as birdflu and SARS.

[isoneri]

Although this disease is a terrible sign of bad times ahead, it of course depends on whether the strain mutates to humans or not as to whether or not this becomes an epidemic.

Personally all i want to know is:
1, What can i eat that is safe
2, What is the exact risk to humans

All the press is doing is starting a panic at the moment, wait a while, see where the wind blows (so to speak) and then panic, says i.

[Foxbat]

The Scotsman carried a very good page of questions and answers the other day. The basic gist of it is that you are unlikely to catch this (as things are at the moment) unless you work in close proximity with infected birds (the faeces can dry into a powder which can become airborne and inhaled). All meat is safe as long as it is thoroughly cooked (same practice as prevention of Salmonella). Eggs are also safe. There is very little risk to humans at this time and, as yet, no evidence that it is jumping across species.

Latest news is that nine dead swans tested this weekend have all proved not to be infected.

[Nokia]

Thanks for the update Foxbat. That is good news. Touchwood!