Avian Flu

Since the discovery of the H4N1 Avian Flu virus in Europe, thousands of bird
owners have been panicking, flooding rescues with unwanted avian companions-
parrots and passerines alike. Some even recieved threats in the mail- "Get rid
of your bird, it's going to kill us!"

Things to Know About H5N1:

1. This is a commonly occuring virus. Avian flu is found in about 60% of
North American Waterfowl but causes very few deaths in them. Why? Because over
the generations mallards and the like have developed a certain amount of imunity
to it. The porblems start when poultry gets infected with the virus.

2. Yes, avian flu is extremely contageous BETWEEN BIRDS (there has not yet
been a case of avian flu speading from human to human) but ONLY if the birds
come into contact with the infected birds feces, eye or nare secretions.
Generally this does not happen unless you have free-range poultry, open-air
aviaries (only mesh on top, not wood or whatever) or have a closely-related
flock of commercial poultry.

3. So far, the ONLY way to "get" bird flu is to EAT AN INFECTED BIRD. Unles,
of course, you eat the feces, tears of nasal secretions. The only cases of
human bird flu so far have been either eaters of diseased birds, or slaughterers
(who may have contacted avian flu like one may contact HIV- through cuts in
their skin etc) and mostly in Asia, where markets and slaughters are not very
hygenic.

4. Birds ill with avian flu usually show symptoms- unless they are waterfowl.
A simple blood test can confirm of deny the presence of the avian bird flu
virus.

5. Not all avian flu viruses are harmful. Yes, virusES. H5N1 is one of many
avian flu viruses, and the only one known to be harmful to people.

Lets recap:

The only way a captive companion bird can get the H5N1 virus is if the bird
comes into contact with the feces or secretions from another infected bird.

The "shelf-life" of the H5N1 virus is about a week- it cannot live very long
outside a host.

The only way you can become infected by your bird is if one: your bird is
infected (not really a problem if your bird lives inside and/or your flights are
covered) and two: if you eat your infected bird, or allow it's feces, eye
secretions or nasal secretions to enter your body through a mut, your mouth,
etc.