AVIAN FLU

[jimmy white]

wow that was some article powerblast, very interesting, and informing, certainly worth going right through.

just a point of interest is that the chief vet off. debie reynalds keeps chickens too according to teletex

[Guest]

Seems to apply only to countries outside EU, Rose. Think you would be able to bring birds home from the likes of Belgium without quarantine.

 

Don't think I'd like the birds in a Q/Centre. Wait till tomorrow for results, but I think the fun is just starting. Don't know Department interviewed, but guy felt sure the virus came with the other birds, from Taiwan, even although they've announced to the world the parrot came from South America. Talk about a dug's dinner.

[Guest]

H5N1 confirmed in Parrot from Surinam in UK Quarantine.

 

Not straightforward. Story at :

 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2005/051023a.htm

[Guest]

Bill, your “Thailand pigeons article.” Now from the TV, this is what I would call a ‘cold case’ file. No one has ever been able to get to the bottom of it. It has essentially been written-off as ‘media sensation’ largely because, in my opinion, Avian flu deaths in pigeons doesn't fit nicely with current knowledge.

 

But Inspector Bruno spent a wet Sunday going through the World Organisation for Animal Health’s weekly reports on AI cases in Thailand in 2004. There is only one report which mentions pigeons:

 

Thailand report 15/11/04

 

Description of affected population in the new outbreaks: native poultry, meat-type ducks, layer ducks, broilers, layer hens, fighting cocks, turkeys, pigeons, quails, other birds.

 

http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_20.HTM#Sec2

 

So this is a documented case of H5N1 in pigeons. Dr David Swayne also conducted experiments with virus isolates from these pigeons, and induced Avian flu infections in them. Now that should set alarm bells ringing: proof of Avian flu in pigeons in the natural environment, and in the lab (artificial environment). For me, that signals that the virus has changed.

 

Another interesting piece from all of these reports: most of the infected poultry were ‘back yard’ free range birds, and the source of all these infections was ‘from wild birds’. There was also a report of 15/20 tigers dying of AI after the Zoo fed them contaminated chicken. Timely reminder again that this virus kills animals too.

 

 

Speedbird your question on pigeon culls - over 2000 pigeons culled in Turkey.

 

 

Turkey report 10/10/05

 

A total of 7,626 poultry, backyard turkeys, pigeons and geese have been killed and destroyed, with compensation for their owners.

 

http://www.oie.int/eng/info/hebdo/AIS_49.HTM#Sec5

 

 

 

I’ve emailed a Turkish University Veterinary Department to see if we can get more information and clinical details of pigeons that died / were found dead.

 

 

[preston powerblast]

Information received today, is that DEFRA is begining to pick up the pace.

There are now lots going on behind the scenes in all directions.

I am not at liberty to say to much at the mo.

But all i am going to say is that i have just ordered a shipment of chemicals and equipment and I am going to be training some new staff members this coming weekend.

But the general public are moe concerned about will it affect humans, they couldnt give a toss about what devastation it will cause to the poultry industry and other bird keepers.

The message that I am trying to across is, we cant stop AI entering the country but we can stop it entering our bird sheds, pigeon lofts etc.

So if you havent yet stocked up on disinfectants etc. get some in.

There is now a vaccine for poultry.

But there still is not an 100% safe vaccine for humans although Hungary reckon they are close to one.

[mealybar]

I'm not sure if this has already be posted about (I havent seen it), but I found a link to Control Methods, in places it refers directly to pigeons.

 

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/ctrl-measures.htm

[AlanWilkins]

We keep on saying wild bird importation but we are allowing birds in from europe then auctioning them every weekend and then they are spread from one side of the uk to the other. What if those birds have been in contact with wild birds over there we could be starting the spread and paying for it at the same time

[Guest]

I'm sure there's no veterinary or quarantine arrangement when you are moving within the EU, its like you are moving within one country. The only thing required would be a PMV Vaccination certificate.

 

I'm on pigeonparadise just now and the going is grim. Gordon Chalmers has recommended the birds be confined to their lofts: the moderator then posts (in German & Dutch) that the German and Dutch Homing Unions aren't confining pigeons 'because they are insensitive to avian flu'.

 

Now I think that poses a dilemna for UK fanciers. What's the point of protecting your own pigeons if others in Europe expose their birds to the virus, and then bring them over here to sell / show? Would you allow a bird still allowed free flight in Europe while AI progresses through it, into your loft?

 

Now I hope this doesn't come to fancier vs fancier. I think we'll have enough bother without that. I've everything crossed that there will be an EU complete ban on the movement of live animals and birds. Some pain, no squabbles, everyone safe.

 

Hopefully that will isolate the virus where it belongs - in the wild - and we'll let Nature sort it out over the next 6 months. She's usually good at balancing out the scores.

 

[Guest]

dear bruno,

              if i read the last part of your previous post (6 months)that you dont think we will be racing our pigeons next year due to possible restrictions being put on their transportation/movement.

              i too believe this is a strong possibility & with that in mind  i have just cancelled my order for 2006 young birds for racing from louella.

              i wonder what the effect of possible restrictions would/will be with large pre-ordersfor young birds early in 2006. billy

[Guest]

Billymac, the 6 months is what I reckon will be burn-out time, if Europe kept all domestic animals inside safe from the virus. Remember that the most susceptible creatures to H5N1 are domestic chickens and ducks. We have trillions of them. A viral attack on one of these birds turns it into an H5N1 production factory producing zillions of virus per bird, right back into the domestic poultry industry and out into the wild.

 

Destroy the factories and you are left with only with the wild. There's not the same scope out there for the virus, so it must burn itself out.

 

On racing next year, the only problem I can see is the early part of the season - Spring. The returning migrating birds, well-mixed in Africa, will cause mayhem all over Europe. I believe the Dutch have already cancelled their early races. I don't think mainland Europe will want us there while this goes on, and I don't think we'll want to be there either.

 

Up here, because it's a bit colder, we don't usually start until around the 23rd  April and I'd like to see that put back to 1st week in May, which might be early enough for us all. If there's going to be trouble, it'll have happened before then.

 

But at the end of the day, if there are still problems and restrictions still apply, I say in for a penny, in for a pound. We've gone this far (May 06) and kept our birds safe from the virus, and beaten the f*er, lets go a step further and take out the hawks too while we are at it. Would you give up that chance for a couple of OB races and YB racing?

 

I stress that this is my personal reading of how things will pan out in 06.

[kaybee]

bruno, I think the RSPB will do all they can to have us racing in 2006 due to the fact that their raptor friends will soon die off if we dont.

[Guest]

Kaybee, the RSPB have already got their tuppence worth out of this crisis. They've got what they'd asked for years ago - a ban on bringing in wild-caught birds. (Already applies to animals and some birds, now need proof of captive-bred). Given the risk these birds pose, just another short step for RSPB, and its a permanent ban.

 

And I have to say I agree with a ban on capturing wild animals to live in small cages for the rest of their lives - I stress, this is my personal view again - and another reason why I don't keep prisoners.

 

It's very hard to forecast 6 minutes ahead just now, far less 6 months. But a contingency plan would help. I'd plan for no racing before May, so I won't pair until the end of February, beginning of March. As May approaches if there's still sporadic bush fire H5N1 outbreaks among wild birds, then I'd consider straight cancellation, keep the larder closed and start afresh 2007; or, if things improve late on in the year, 'any age' races July / August.  Again, just personal thoughts, and I'm sure you'll come up with your own alternatives..

[Guest beautyhomer]

The RSPB has a very blinkered view on conservation.If wild birds were found to be carrying avian flu I would expect a call for them to be culled and that wouldn't do now would it!!!!!.Protection no matter who it affects or the consequences.

Bit like TB in Badgers

[Guest]

EDINBURGH SHOW STILL ON

[Guest]

EDINBURGH SHOW STILL ON

[PIGEON_MAN]

ROSE CAN YOU TELL US ANY MORE ABOUT THIS E.MAIL WAS DOING 2 SHOWS THE WEEKEND WONDERING IF THEY WILL STILL BE ON.

[Webmaster]

The email direct from Peter Bryant.

 

PIGEON SHOWS/FAIRS/AUCTIONS

 

The EU has implemented an immediate ban on all shows, markets, fairs and sales involving collections of birds across the EU.  The ban will be in place until 31 Dec 05 when it will be subject to review.

 

At this stage it is indeed hoped that the Show of the Year will take place in some form or another although pigeon sales at Blackpool and the Show Pigeons will be subject to DEFRA decisions.

 

Peter Bryant

General Manager

The Royal Pigeon Racing Association

The Reddings

near Cheltenham, Glos GL51 6RN

tel 01452 713529 fax 857119

 

http://www.pigeonbasics.com/news/news230.html

[showman]

Following the publication of the 'banning' notice from Europe covering all of the EU member countries, all shows and sales which were to be held in the next couple of months are now cancelled. Unfortunately, Clockman, Edinburgh will have to cancel, as with us at the Dunoon International. In fact this ban will leave us with no classic shows except  Blackpool, all will suffer the same fate. Personally, I think this 'temporary' ban is just the tip of the ice-berg. I can see the ban being prolonged to cover the year 2006 in its' entirety. As we all know the greatest movement among pigeons, is during the racing season, and you think Brussels will give us the all clear in two months time, just at the time when they expect cases of Avian flu to increase ?? With respect to your posting Kaybee, I'm going to be more interested in what the reaction is from PETA, not the RSPB.

 

Paul C.

[jimmy white]

would it not be better posponing these shows b4 31 dec , then wait and see what happens,    ive just sent the e,mail to my brother ,david.hes right in the height of his canary show season, and off course hes devastated, i cant help agreeing with showman , ,,just the tip of the iceberg,,but then again who knows

[THE FIFER]

where did rpra manager get his info, no doubt it is right, i have just been onto the news web site and it states "live bird IMPORT ban approved" for one month,

[THE FIFER]

yes got the news regarding the ban on shows etc, on another news channel,

[THE FIFER]

this is going to hurt the sport a lot , what about all the birds for sale in the weeklies etc, they cannot take place  auctions etc, and they would not get birds delivered , will hurt the weeklies a big loss in revenue, but in the long run will save the sport, what will all the dealers do with birds bread for the big shows etc, if they do not take place,what about fanciers selling birds etc if u cannot get them deliverd, louella will be hit hard,

[jimmy white]

i think this will effect a lot of bird keepers, and as you say fifer will hurt the sport a lot, among others as well, then theres the big pet shops, like pet city etc.  he does say "sales involving collection of birds"  theres aviaries now in these shops, that contain ,more than a collection of birds, so they, for one [big concerns] will want this ban lifted.

[THE FIFER]

yes jimmy as we know its to keep this flu out, but i think in the long run, if the ban is for any length of time will see a big loss in fanciers and breeders, even the weeklies are going to have a big loss in revenue, ie sale of birds etc, also we only havve one organisation to transport birds, amtrack, this could be there chance to get pigeon deliveries off their hands, this is going to hurt the sport a lot more than we think, and this is just taking precautions, when i first read the report of the eu today i thought it was just a ban on IMPORTS, not on the movement etc within the uk.

[showman]

Agree with you both Jimmy/Fifer......short ban will be OK, but if it goes the way I suspect it will.......pigeon/bird keeping is in for a really terrible time ahead