News: Bird Flu in Europe - How Alarmed Should We Be?

This morning over our oatmeal, the headline Europe Takes Action as Bird Flu Spreads caught our eye and stole our appetites.

As reported in the NY Times, there is some disturbing evidence that the bird flu virus is migrating north into Europe from Africa months ahead of when experts speculated. Although 91 people have already died from the bird flu, " the most immediate threat for Europe is an uncontrolled outbreak of the virus among domesticated fowl, which can rapidly decimate a national poultry industry."

Although the photo of officials in sealed suits and the talk of quarantining areas where birds have been found makes it seem as though Europe has really got a handle on the situation, one is left wondering, what steps are being taken in Africa to protect the people who live there, and the food they eat?

And as our own country dukes it out over who knew what and when about Cheney shooting his hunting pal, one could also wonder, what are we doing to product our food supply?

Comments (5)

In most cases, were the victims living with their fowl? If anything, we should redo our factory farming practice. The way the chickens are raised, disease could spread rapidly.

Maybe it's foolish, but as with the Nile virus, Ebola and SARS, I won't worry too much.

I live in Toronto, and had to visit a hospital during the SARS outbreak (my F-I-L had health problems, though fortunately not related to SARS). As unnerving as the outbreak in Toronto was, strangely, I actually felt better while (and after) visiting the hospital. The health care personnel were extremely professional and were very careful about screening not just patients, but everyone who entered the hospital.

It's important to remember that SARS could have been much worse than it actually was: it's not that the disease turned out to be more mild than was actually was, but that the healthcare system leaped into action and kept it under control. At least in North America and Western Europe, we're relatively safe.

The Lowy Institute (an Australian think tank) projects, for a worst-case scenario: "28.4 million in China, 24 million in India, 11.4 million in Indonesia, 4.1 million in the Philippines, 2.1 million in Japan, 2.0 million in the United States and 5.6 million in Europe. In the world's least developed countries, the toll could top 33 million" (CNN). Maybe those of us in the West don't have to worry much about our personal safety, Dani, but that doesn't mean that there's nothing to worry about at all.

Wow I did sound flippant, didn't I. Sorry guys. I am concerned and frustrated. Scared? No.

I have to say that I am scared for the people who live in countries without good health care. I do worry about what could happen here, too, but we are much better off.

Now in Europe, it's mainly migrating ducks and swans which have been found dead and contaminated with the virus. As already last automn most of the european governments have again decided to confine the fowl ( chicken, goose, ducks in farms ) to the inside of the farms, farmers are not allowed to keep them outside until the migration period is over. Vetenarians are checking on a very regular basis. The population is advised not to touch dead birds, but eating chicken, goose, turkey and so on represents actually no danger. Also, importation of chicken etc is highly controlled and forbidden if they come from contaminated areas ( roumania e.g.). Last automn, "Tamiflu" was said to be efficient against avian flu in human cases, here, in Switzerland where it is produced by Roche, there has been a rush on this medecine during a couple of weeks. Roche has increased its production for this medecine...
Sounds all quite dramatic, but nobody doesn't seem too anxious about it all ( at least as i can say from what i'm seeing around me ), although the consommatation of chicken etc has drastically decreased the last few days, according to the french news. Weel, that's what i wanted to tell about the subject, seen ( and lived ) in Europe.
Have a nice weekend !