avian influenza

New to Science: the Tooth Fairy Bird - H5N1 vector

NOTES ON A SPECIES NEW TO SCIENCE - THE TOOTH FAIRY BIRD
Martin Williams and Nial Moores

Surely one of the most startling of the flurry of new findings made during the spread of H5N1 avian influenza has been the discovery of the Tooth Fairy Bird – which we believe is the first bird species to have been initially described by virologists, and is remarkable for being able to survive and sustain and spread H5N1.

Submitted by Martin on Thu, 03/16/2006 - 19:27

Experts on wild birds not major h5n1 carriers

Wild birds are not major carriers of H5N1 bird flu

- here are some quotes from experts

David Melville (ornithologist) and K.F. Shortridge (virologist)

Quote:
the timing and distribution of the reported spread of H5N1 from South Korea (Dec 17, 2003) to Vietnam (Jan 8, 2004) to Indonesia (Feb 6, 2004) does not fit any known migratory pattern for any [waterbird] species

Influenza: time to come to grips with the avian dimension, The Lancet Vol 4, 2004.

Submitted by Martin on Sat, 12/10/2005 - 01:05

BirdFluIntro

Dead Ducks Don't Fly: Wild Birds not Major H5N1 Vectors

Submitted by Martin Williams on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 01:06

BirdFluInfo

Info and links re bird flu, especially the nasty H5N1 variant in Asia

Submitted by Martin Williams on Sat, 07/19/2008 - 00:57

FAO - wild birds not spreading h5n1 Africa, Europe

Aricle in NY Times won't be a surprise to anyone familiar with situation re wild birds and H5N1 (well, contents not a surprise; may be a suprise to see an article on the issue that's factual rather than speculative poop).

Juan Lubroth of FAO, quoted here, is disingenuous re our not having answers: situation in east Asia has shown wild birds can't survive and sustain and spread H5N1 (tho in article, too, is hint of Tooth Fairy Bird - as if it might still exist despite no evidence).

Submitted by Martin on Thu, 05/11/2006 - 16:25

Natural wild bird flus are mild; it's evolutionary

letter I've just had published in the Independent (UK):

Don't blame deadly flu on wild birds

Sir: I am an ornithologist based in Hong Kong, and since 2003 have followed the spread of H5N1 and the purported role of wild birds. I was surprised to read Sir Hugh Pennington's assertion (letter, 19 March) that "the evidence that these viruses [highly pathogenic avian influenzas] evolve in wild birds and are spread by them is overwhelmingly strong," as this contradicts all evidence I am aware of.

Natural wild bird flus are mild.

Submitted by Martin on Wed, 04/26/2006 - 05:25

Catfish Farm

Catfish at fish farm in Java fed dead chickens - helping show integrated fish farming may play role in spreading H5N1 bird flu.

Submitted by Martin on Mon, 04/10/2006 - 13:07

Wild birds scared n killed thro H5N1 flu fears

Reports re wild birds being killed (and scared off) in attempts to lower H5N1 risks seem to be increasing.
- despite scientific evidence being that they can't sustain H5N1.

In Thailand some time ago, Prime Minister Thaksin threatened to cull openbill storks when some (around 8?) died with H5N1.

Submitted by Martin on Sun, 01/29/2006 - 18:57

Birds inc magpie robin in Hong Kong w H5N1

Late to post this [re magpie robin, the first bird to test positive for H5N1 in HK during early 2006], after some hassles with website over past few days, but, from HK government, 19 January 2006:

Quote:
An Oriental Magpie Robin found dead in Kam Shan Tsuen, Tai Po was confirmed to be H5N1 positive following a series of laboratory tests, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (January 19).
Submitted by Martin on Sat, 01/21/2006 - 20:04

h5n1 in chicken n duck manure inc in fish ponds?

I received an email from a correspondent, Jo, which led to ideas

H5N1 Bird Flu Maybe Linked to Fish Farming

included:

Quote:
Also noticed on this list of articles (link below) information about farmers in Vietnam accused of dumping at least 100 tonnes of chicken manure a day into a lake to feed the fish - I rest my case! 

Submitted by Martin on Wed, 11/16/2005 - 23:06

Henry Niman: prophet of doom for the Internet

Perhaps since before recorded history began, we've been fascinated by people who tell us we're all doomed - the end of the world is nigh. Especially, perhaps, those who appear to have special insights the rest of us aren't blessed with, such as visions, abilities to supposedly see into the future.

Submitted by Martin on Tue, 08/30/2005 - 00:51

I don't believe wild birds are spreading h5n1

post I just made in response to a question on Agonist.org, may be of interest:

In short, yes, I do believe

Wild birds are not spreading bird flu

- not h5n1 variant that we're so concerned about. (But they carry plenty of flus; benign for vast vast majority, till farming gets them and transforms [into frankenflus - yikes!].)

Submitted by Martin on Fri, 08/19/2005 - 23:19
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