Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 9:10 pm Post subject: Bird Flu Should We Start To Worry ?
Hi guys just wondering if we should start to worry as it is getting close to Australia and having to kids under 4 starting to think. Also if it comes what is the possiblity we will have to destroy our birds ? Cheers Kev
Bird flu (as we know it) appears mainly in poultry. This is mainly because of overcrowding and poor management of the industry in some Asian countries. However, it has also been found in some wild type birds as well.
Like any disease it can and will mutate and adapt to other situations in order to survive. It was allso recently discovered to be in some birds kept at a Zoo in Jakarta (Indonesia). Some of these birds are in fact migatory birds in the wild and why other countries (such as Australia) have started to become more aware of it's presence.
The birds we breed in our back yards are a lot safer than the wild population in Australia. Migatory birds do interact with native birds and there is a far greater risk that they would be wiped out. That being said I would be very careful about who I purchased birds from and what the history of those birds is.
The biggest danger to Australian Aviculture at the moment is smuggling. The majority of smuggled birds and eggs into Australia is via the Asian region. This is where the immediate threat lies. The authorities are monitoring the wild populations but dont have the same capabilities against smugglers. One infected bird could wipe out the entire population of birds kept in captivity.
If you think that is an overkill read my earlier post. In England the animal liberationist's have taken a strangle hold and public opion has swayed in their favour. The same WILL happen here if people turn a blind eye and purchase that expensive pair of birds because they are cheap. The same applies to overcrowding in aviaries. Give these people a reason to shut us down and IT WILL HAPPEN. The threat of Bird flu simply strengthens their case.
As for the bird flu, the solution is to keep a closed flock situation. Only buy birds from people you can trust. If the deal sounds too good to be true then it probably is. By keeping a track of where your birds are from if there is an outbreak you may just avoid having the heartache of watching your birds be removed by the authorities. If everyone keeps records of their stock (buying and selling) it will go a long way toward pinpointing an outbreak (should it occur) and save a lot of birds. If one of your birds becomes ill or you lose one get it checked or autopsied by your vet. Vetinary records will help show the authorities that you in fact care about your birds and have a good health policy in place.
I dont think the threat is too severe at this point in time. But, sitting back and hoping it doesn't happen is not the answer. Just be vigilant. As, for the elderly and children (who are at the greatest risk) they face less danger interacting with your birds than they do by feeding the seagulls at the local beach.
At least there is no MAD SHEEP DISEASE, otherwise you kiwis would be in trouble.
there is, we just dont call it that or tell the rest of the world. Its called High IQ disease.[/quote] _________________ My Spelling is Not Incorrect...It's 'Creative'
Allen,
You wont get any arguements from this Aussie. It shows that when you reach the top you should never become complacent. Our Aussie teams worked hard to get there but have grown lazy and comfortable and I for one love to see them get their butt's kicked. We can only hope this is the wake up call they so badly need.
They should have had a game like this two or three years ago when Aussie cricketers were on top of their games and on top of the world, guys like Steve Waugh deserved to play against the rest of the world.
I read today that the Aussie team might have a couple of new caps in it. Hardly the time to make changes now?
The changes are a knee jerk reaction to losing the ashes. If the selectors were serious they would sack the captain. He is an arrogant Tasmanian who predicted we would win the Ashes 5 - zip and then by the third test was saying it wasn't his fault. The guy is not a patch on Steve Waugh who was also very vocal but had the guts to make tough decisions.
Taking on the rest of the world is a cocky way of stating we are better than the individual countries. That is a bit hard to swallow after the Poms gave us a cricketing lesson. I think we will get hammered.
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