Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.mprnews.org/story/2016/03/28/scientists-worry-chinese-lake-bird-flu-breeding-ground
Scientists worry massive Chinese lake a global bird flu cauldron
Business
Rob Schmitz ? Jiangxi Province, China ? Mar 28, 2016
At this time of year, before the spring migration, Poyang Lake in southeastern China is home to 1 million wild geese, ducks and other waterfowl. Bigger than Minnesota's Lake of the Woods, Poyang would rank as the seventh largest lake in the U.S.
More migratory birds winter here than any other spot in Asia. That creates lots of contact between the wild birds and nearby domestic poultry operations ? and opens the door to avian influenza.
Wild birds are a natural host of avian flu. Even if infected they rarely get very sick from it. Domesticated poultry, however, are not as well adapted to influenza. So, once it's in them, it's easier for the virus to mutate into one that's fatal to poultry and even people. Domestic birds spread that mutation in their droppings...
Scientists worry massive Chinese lake a global bird flu cauldron
Business
Rob Schmitz ? Jiangxi Province, China ? Mar 28, 2016
At this time of year, before the spring migration, Poyang Lake in southeastern China is home to 1 million wild geese, ducks and other waterfowl. Bigger than Minnesota's Lake of the Woods, Poyang would rank as the seventh largest lake in the U.S.
More migratory birds winter here than any other spot in Asia. That creates lots of contact between the wild birds and nearby domestic poultry operations ? and opens the door to avian influenza.
Wild birds are a natural host of avian flu. Even if infected they rarely get very sick from it. Domesticated poultry, however, are not as well adapted to influenza. So, once it's in them, it's easier for the virus to mutate into one that's fatal to poultry and even people. Domestic birds spread that mutation in their droppings...