http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=18724&Cr=bird&Cr1=flu
Wild birds could spread avian flu, UN-backed conference is told
2 June 2006 ? Migrating wild birds could continue to spread virus that causes avian influenza, according to some of the scientists who participated in a United Nations-sponsored international conference that concluded in Rome today.
Attended by more than 300 experts from over 100 countries, the two-day scientific meeting was convened by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
Though they held different views on the role migratory wild birds play in spreading the avian flu virus, all scientists agreed that the poultry trade ? both legal and illegal ? is mainly responsible for its spread.
?Several presentations, some supported by recent publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, implicated wild birds in the introduction of HPAI H5N1 virus at considerable geographical distance,? says the outcome document of the meeting.
While some scientists believed that wild birds are capable of spreading this virus to more than 50 countries on three continents, others questioned whether they should be considered a permanent reservoir of the HPAI virus.
Some experts suggested that there is a strong possibility that these birds could carry the virus with them in subsequent migrations. Alternately, they said, H5N1 may subside naturally as infected animals die off, or mutate to a less aggressive form.
?This was one of the main gaps identified in our present scientific knowledge,? said Joseph Domenech, FAO?s chief veterinary officer. ?We must therefore intensify our investigation.?
Participants noted that the current outbreak of HSN1 virus in eight countries was mainly based on legal and illegal trade in poultry for human consumption. However, they called for further analysis of how the virus was introduced.
?There is a need to mobilize the international donor community to invest in the improvement of veterinary services in developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia,? said Dr. Gideon Bruckner, head of OIE?s scientific and technical office, noting that wise investment could promote early detection in wild bird rapid response to disease outbreaks.
Scientists agreed that H5N1 disease management requires improvements in biodiversity and hygiene at the production level in poultry sector, including measures to minimize the possibility of contacts between wild and domestic birds.
The meeting called for the establishment of a global tracking and monitoring facility involving all relevant institutions across the world, including scientific centres and farmers organizations, hunters, birds watchers, and wetland and wildlife conservation societies.
The participants rejected any suggestion of trying to stop the spread of HPA1 by killing wild birds. ?Destruction of wild bird habitats or indiscriminate hunting of wildlife is scientifically and ethically unjustified as response,? they said in the final document.
Emphasizing the need for further research, the conference called for investment in relevant technologies required to detect wild bird migratory patterns.
Wild birds could spread avian flu, UN-backed conference is told
2 June 2006 ? Migrating wild birds could continue to spread virus that causes avian influenza, according to some of the scientists who participated in a United Nations-sponsored international conference that concluded in Rome today.
Attended by more than 300 experts from over 100 countries, the two-day scientific meeting was convened by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).
Though they held different views on the role migratory wild birds play in spreading the avian flu virus, all scientists agreed that the poultry trade ? both legal and illegal ? is mainly responsible for its spread.
?Several presentations, some supported by recent publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, implicated wild birds in the introduction of HPAI H5N1 virus at considerable geographical distance,? says the outcome document of the meeting.
While some scientists believed that wild birds are capable of spreading this virus to more than 50 countries on three continents, others questioned whether they should be considered a permanent reservoir of the HPAI virus.
Some experts suggested that there is a strong possibility that these birds could carry the virus with them in subsequent migrations. Alternately, they said, H5N1 may subside naturally as infected animals die off, or mutate to a less aggressive form.
?This was one of the main gaps identified in our present scientific knowledge,? said Joseph Domenech, FAO?s chief veterinary officer. ?We must therefore intensify our investigation.?
Participants noted that the current outbreak of HSN1 virus in eight countries was mainly based on legal and illegal trade in poultry for human consumption. However, they called for further analysis of how the virus was introduced.
?There is a need to mobilize the international donor community to invest in the improvement of veterinary services in developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia,? said Dr. Gideon Bruckner, head of OIE?s scientific and technical office, noting that wise investment could promote early detection in wild bird rapid response to disease outbreaks.
Scientists agreed that H5N1 disease management requires improvements in biodiversity and hygiene at the production level in poultry sector, including measures to minimize the possibility of contacts between wild and domestic birds.
The meeting called for the establishment of a global tracking and monitoring facility involving all relevant institutions across the world, including scientific centres and farmers organizations, hunters, birds watchers, and wetland and wildlife conservation societies.
The participants rejected any suggestion of trying to stop the spread of HPA1 by killing wild birds. ?Destruction of wild bird habitats or indiscriminate hunting of wildlife is scientifically and ethically unjustified as response,? they said in the final document.
Emphasizing the need for further research, the conference called for investment in relevant technologies required to detect wild bird migratory patterns.
