요사이 조류독감이 특히나 이 베트남에서는 이슈화되고 있습니다.
인터넷에서 관련된 기사가 있어서 올립니다 (출처는 요기)
====================================
Answers to Your Questions about Avian Flu
Here are the basics about avian influenza, its effects on birds and humans, its implications for the birds at your feeders, and much more.
What is avian influenza?
How does the bird flu spread?
Once established in domestic poultry, bird flu is highly contagious. Infected birds excrete the virus in high concentration in their feces and also in nasal and ocular discharges. Once introduced into a flock, the virus is spread from flock to flock by the movement of infected birds and through contact with contaminated equipment, egg flats, feed trucks and service crews, and other methods. Avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans. Most cases of infection in humans are thought to have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.
Can humans catch the bird flu?
Yes, but for most people, it's not at all likely. Avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans. Most cases of infection in humans are thought to have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. The 120 or so people who became infected in Asia the H5N1 strain worked closely with live or recently killed poultry.
Does the virus threaten people and birds in North America?
No. Currently, avian flu is not a danger for people who watch or feed birds in North America. Since January 2004, all known human cases have occurred in Southeast Asia, and almost all of the infections were contracted by people who handle chickens.
Should I stop feeding birds?
Should my housing complex or apartment building ban birdfeeding?
No. No one should have to stop feeding birds. Birder's World Contributing Editor Julie Craves gives four reasons why:
1) The lethal bird flu strain H5N1 has not been confirmed in North America.
2) The birds most likely to be infected with H5N1 are poultry and waterfowl, not songbirds present at a feeder. (Julie discourages feeding waterfowl at ponds and parks not because of bird flu, but because the practice is not healthy for the birds and contributes to their dependence on humans.)
3) H5N1 has a low instance of transmission between birds and humans, even in areas of high exposure.
4) You have to be in direct contact with infected fowl or objects contaminated with their feces to be at risk of infection. As always, keep your feeders and feeding area clean to help prevent the spread of common bacterial infections between birds.
Can my pet bird contract avian influenza?
Yes. In fact, a parrot in Britain died from the bird flu recently. But most pet birds have no contact with wild or foreign birds, so there really isn't much need to worry. Plus, a new European Union ban on imports of captive live birds is in effect to prevent the possible spread of the flu through the pet trade. The parrot that died had been imported to Britain from Surinam and was being held in quarantine with 216 birds from Taiwan. "Our working hypothesis is that any infection in the birds from Surinam is likely to have arisen in quarantine, most likely in Essex where the birds shared space with the birds from Taiwan," the chief vet reports.
Will the avian flu harm rare or endangered birds?
Perhaps. The main risk to endangered birds will be to those with small populations that share water and food supplies with infected poultry flocks. Experts say birds such as the Aquatic Warbler, Dalmatian Pelican, Marbled Teal, Slender-billed Curlew, and Spoon-billed Sandpiper all fly south from Siberia and could come into contact with the virus.
Should I stop eating poultry and eggs?
Is there a vaccine?
There's Tamiflu, but it's no vaccine. Tamiflu is a prescription pill designed to treat regular flu, but it also seems to offer some protection against the type of flu that has devastated Asian poultry flocks. But the effectiveness of any antiviral medicine, including Tamiflu, could change depending on how the virus changes. In fact, it may be impossible to develop a vaccine that's fully effective against pandemic flu until after the disease strikes. That's because scientists will first need to isolate the specific strain of flu responsible for the outbreak. So should you start stocking your medicine cabinet with Tamiflu? Not yet.
Is the media exaggerating the bird flu?
No. Avian influenza has been identified in birds across Europe and Asia, and millions of birds and at least 60 people have died. It's serious. But it bears repeating that there have been no reports of influenza in the United States. Zero. Zip. Nada. And it's also important to realize that the word "bird" is being used very loosely these days -- so loosely that some folks might conclude, incorrectly, that all birds are a potential threat. In fact, the "bird" in "bird flu" relates to domestic poultry, primarily in Asia, not wild birds. The bottom line? A virologist had this to say to NPR: "There is a lot of coverage in the media, and it's hard to keep up with what everyone is saying, but I think the issue is important. Highly pathogenic, H5N1 is a clear danger to poultry, and its threat to wild birds is real."
Do migratory birds spread avian influenza viruses?
Should wild birds be killed to stop the flu?
Absolutely not. Wild birds should not be considered the enemy. Instead, our focus should be on improving the crowded conditions where the disease spreads. "At this stage, it seems as though the danger to birds posed by persecution or habitat destruction outweighs mortality from the illness itself," says Birder's World Contributing Editor Julie Craves. "Since infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces, think about how overcrowding lends itself to the spread of this disease. Then think about how destroying habitat keeps pushing birds into fewer and fewer places. "
Should birdwatchers be on the lookout for sick birds?
It certainly can't hurt. As we've noted, H5N1 has not been detected in North America, so it's unlikely that any sick or dead birds found here will have the disease. Nonetheless, the National Wildlife Health Center is screening birds for avian flu. European birding organizations are asking "birdwatchers in the field to keep an eye out for any suspicious cases of large-scale mortality or sickness amongst wild birds."
What should I do if I find a sick bird?
If you find domesticated poultry that is sick or dying, call USDA's Veterinary Services toll free at (866) 536-7593 to find out why. There is no charge for a disease investigation. Or call your State Veterinarian or local extension agent. If you find a sick bird in the wild, report it to your state, provincial, or local wildlife agency.
What else can I do?
The best thing that you can do is stay informed and educated about the avian flu. Knowledge is key -- it prevents panic, and encourages solutions. Here are a few more simple ideas that can help.
- Mom was right! Practice common-sense habits, like washing your hands and covering your mouth to cough.
- Cook all poultry thoroughly before eating.
- Keep your bird feeders and birdbaths clean.
- If you are traveling to countries that have reported the disease, avoid live animal markets and poultry farms. Check for travel advisories before you go.
- Spread the knowledge -- encourage others to learn more about avian flu.
인터넷에서 관련된 기사가 있어서 올립니다 (출처는 요기)
====================================
Answers to Your Questions about Avian Flu
Here are the basics about avian influenza, its effects on birds and humans, its implications for the birds at your feeders, and much more.
What is avian influenza?
How does the bird flu spread?
Once established in domestic poultry, bird flu is highly contagious. Infected birds excrete the virus in high concentration in their feces and also in nasal and ocular discharges. Once introduced into a flock, the virus is spread from flock to flock by the movement of infected birds and through contact with contaminated equipment, egg flats, feed trucks and service crews, and other methods. Avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans. Most cases of infection in humans are thought to have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces.
Can humans catch the bird flu?
Yes, but for most people, it's not at all likely. Avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect humans. Most cases of infection in humans are thought to have resulted from direct contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. The 120 or so people who became infected in Asia the H5N1 strain worked closely with live or recently killed poultry.
Does the virus threaten people and birds in North America?
No. Currently, avian flu is not a danger for people who watch or feed birds in North America. Since January 2004, all known human cases have occurred in Southeast Asia, and almost all of the infections were contracted by people who handle chickens.
Should I stop feeding birds?
Should my housing complex or apartment building ban birdfeeding?
No. No one should have to stop feeding birds. Birder's World Contributing Editor Julie Craves gives four reasons why:
1) The lethal bird flu strain H5N1 has not been confirmed in North America.
2) The birds most likely to be infected with H5N1 are poultry and waterfowl, not songbirds present at a feeder. (Julie discourages feeding waterfowl at ponds and parks not because of bird flu, but because the practice is not healthy for the birds and contributes to their dependence on humans.)
3) H5N1 has a low instance of transmission between birds and humans, even in areas of high exposure.
4) You have to be in direct contact with infected fowl or objects contaminated with their feces to be at risk of infection. As always, keep your feeders and feeding area clean to help prevent the spread of common bacterial infections between birds.
Can my pet bird contract avian influenza?
Yes. In fact, a parrot in Britain died from the bird flu recently. But most pet birds have no contact with wild or foreign birds, so there really isn't much need to worry. Plus, a new European Union ban on imports of captive live birds is in effect to prevent the possible spread of the flu through the pet trade. The parrot that died had been imported to Britain from Surinam and was being held in quarantine with 216 birds from Taiwan. "Our working hypothesis is that any infection in the birds from Surinam is likely to have arisen in quarantine, most likely in Essex where the birds shared space with the birds from Taiwan," the chief vet reports.
Will the avian flu harm rare or endangered birds?
Perhaps. The main risk to endangered birds will be to those with small populations that share water and food supplies with infected poultry flocks. Experts say birds such as the Aquatic Warbler, Dalmatian Pelican, Marbled Teal, Slender-billed Curlew, and Spoon-billed Sandpiper all fly south from Siberia and could come into contact with the virus.
Should I stop eating poultry and eggs?
Is there a vaccine?
There's Tamiflu, but it's no vaccine. Tamiflu is a prescription pill designed to treat regular flu, but it also seems to offer some protection against the type of flu that has devastated Asian poultry flocks. But the effectiveness of any antiviral medicine, including Tamiflu, could change depending on how the virus changes. In fact, it may be impossible to develop a vaccine that's fully effective against pandemic flu until after the disease strikes. That's because scientists will first need to isolate the specific strain of flu responsible for the outbreak. So should you start stocking your medicine cabinet with Tamiflu? Not yet.
Is the media exaggerating the bird flu?
No. Avian influenza has been identified in birds across Europe and Asia, and millions of birds and at least 60 people have died. It's serious. But it bears repeating that there have been no reports of influenza in the United States. Zero. Zip. Nada. And it's also important to realize that the word "bird" is being used very loosely these days -- so loosely that some folks might conclude, incorrectly, that all birds are a potential threat. In fact, the "bird" in "bird flu" relates to domestic poultry, primarily in Asia, not wild birds. The bottom line? A virologist had this to say to NPR: "There is a lot of coverage in the media, and it's hard to keep up with what everyone is saying, but I think the issue is important. Highly pathogenic, H5N1 is a clear danger to poultry, and its threat to wild birds is real."
Do migratory birds spread avian influenza viruses?
Should wild birds be killed to stop the flu?
Absolutely not. Wild birds should not be considered the enemy. Instead, our focus should be on improving the crowded conditions where the disease spreads. "At this stage, it seems as though the danger to birds posed by persecution or habitat destruction outweighs mortality from the illness itself," says Birder's World Contributing Editor Julie Craves. "Since infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces, think about how overcrowding lends itself to the spread of this disease. Then think about how destroying habitat keeps pushing birds into fewer and fewer places. "
Should birdwatchers be on the lookout for sick birds?
It certainly can't hurt. As we've noted, H5N1 has not been detected in North America, so it's unlikely that any sick or dead birds found here will have the disease. Nonetheless, the National Wildlife Health Center is screening birds for avian flu. European birding organizations are asking "birdwatchers in the field to keep an eye out for any suspicious cases of large-scale mortality or sickness amongst wild birds."
What should I do if I find a sick bird?
If you find domesticated poultry that is sick or dying, call USDA's Veterinary Services toll free at (866) 536-7593 to find out why. There is no charge for a disease investigation. Or call your State Veterinarian or local extension agent. If you find a sick bird in the wild, report it to your state, provincial, or local wildlife agency.
What else can I do?
The best thing that you can do is stay informed and educated about the avian flu. Knowledge is key -- it prevents panic, and encourages solutions. Here are a few more simple ideas that can help.
- Mom was right! Practice common-sense habits, like washing your hands and covering your mouth to cough.
- Cook all poultry thoroughly before eating.
- Keep your bird feeders and birdbaths clean.
- If you are traveling to countries that have reported the disease, avoid live animal markets and poultry farms. Check for travel advisories before you go.
- Spread the knowledge -- encourage others to learn more about avian flu.
