Deadly H5N1 strain found in dead swan (Scotland)

MountainPro

The discovery in the wild bird of the virulent strain that has been blamed for 108 human deaths elsewhere since 2003 would make Britain the 14th country in the European Union to find the disease on its territory.

Yep folks, its finally here on UK soil. Bird Flu.

does this mean chicken is off the menu?

time to panic?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/06042006/3...d-swan-sky.html

__________________
HARD
.

limerickman

I saw that report and the fact that it's here is no real surprise.

I don't mean to scaremonger but there is no vaccine to combat this virus.
In France (where several cases have been found) poultry sales are down 60%.

If this virus gets hold in the human chain, we're snookered.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets" - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

MountainPro

We just had the UKs foremost microbiologist and diesase expert on the radio Hugh Pennington. He says the disease cannot be spread from human to human, but this strain is highly evolutionary. It mutates at an astonishing rate. It is likely that if no vaccine is found it will be transferable from human to human very soon.

__________________
HARD
.

lwedge

I think we will see it soon in the U.S. and more than likely on the west coast first. My wife and I are going to; get this; 'bird proof our chicken coop' (laughter abounds). We have small seasonal birds that manage to get in through small holes in the wire mesh, they like the rich chicken feed and fresh water we pamper the chickens with. It's just a matter of time. We see birds from all over the world here it seems, we actually saw a couple of Flamingo's once.

Well, let's hope Medical Science gets a handle on this soon.

MP, when you come to California this summer you and family will have to watch out for West Niles Virus. The mosquitoes out here can spot a Bianchi miles away.

lw

__________________
If your traveling to the LakeTahoe, Apple Hill, Folsom area ? Then check out Charles Lee's site for some great information on rides, maps and events in this Northern California area. .
http://www.beautifulvista.com
Great wine !
http://www.chevalierwinery.com/

MountainPro

I'll try and watch out for that...hopefully i'll be too fast for the pesky insects to catch me..

__________________
HARD
.

davidmc

It is so deadly that it is a national security matter my friend (my IR major talking)
On another note, you may be aware that I was in the u.s.navy & consequently, upon reading an article last night that indicated that John Paul Jones, who is a saint, in u.s.naval lore, for his uttering of the words-"I have not yet begun to fight" as his ship was sinking beneath his feet mind you, whilst engaging in combat w/ the British warship-Serapis & who's remains are interred at our Annapolis Naval Academy (wait let me catch my breath, these run-on sentences are tiring ) was in fact Scottish

__________________
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
George Carlin
US comedian and actor (1937 - )

lwedge

That's the spirit !

Just put a little repellent on while under the shade tree enjoying your well eared libation.

lw

__________________
If your traveling to the LakeTahoe, Apple Hill, Folsom area ? Then check out Charles Lee's site for some great information on rides, maps and events in this Northern California area. .
http://www.beautifulvista.com
Great wine !
http://www.chevalierwinery.com/

ptlwp

C'mon.......it's National Poultry Week!!! Give a Girl a Goose!!!!

__________________
"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing." Sir Edmund Burke

MountainPro

hey, there are kids watching !

__________________
HARD
.

ptlwp

Hey, those kids today could teach me AND you a thing or two, I'm afeared.

__________________
"All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing." Sir Edmund Burke

EoinC

Dunno, MP, but I've stopped eating Penguin Pie.

MountainPro

I know that Shackelton swore by seal blubber and penguin pie...yummy.

btw, this whole epidemic thing seems a bit of a non-starter. We've only had one swan so far. Looks like the containment measures are working.

__________________
HARD
.

limerickman

I saw that on the news - they tested other birds in the Fife region and there is no sign of the virus in the other samples.

But - they're still warning against complacency.

I read somewhere that the H5N1 strain caused the great flu of 1918 which killed thousands of people.

__________________
.."But finally the last thing I’ll say to the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the sceptics. I'm sorry for you. I’m sorry that you can’t dream big. [I]I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets" - this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it - Armstrong 2005 TDF
morelike hypocrisy.

MountainPro

yes, i heard that too. I also heard that is could have happened in medaeval asia killing many thousands. This is difficult to verify scientifically.

__________________
HARD
.