13 replies to this topic

[cazyncymru]

Whilst we've all probably heard today that the bird deaths at Bernard Mathews has been caused by strain HN51, lets not forget it won't only be the poultry industries that will have to take biosecurity measures.

We need to offer the farmers involved (and not just farmers, but those involved with mointoring "wild birds") all the support we can, and be sensible in the coming weeks.

Hopefully we learnt lessons after the Foot & Mouth outbreaks.

[Simon]

Whilst we've all probably heard today that the bird deaths at Bernard Mathews has been caused by strain HN51, lets not forget it won't only be the poultry industries that will have to take biosecurity measures.

We need to offer the farmers involved (and not just farmers, but those involved with mointoring "wild birds") all the support we can, and be sensible in the coming weeks.

Hopefully we learnt lessons after the Foot & Mouth outbreaks.

I'm sure a lot of lessons were learned following the Foot & Mouth outbreaks. Let's just hope it has been contained and it is an isolated or very rare occurence. Poor turkeys survived Xmas and then this..

Simon

[Simon]

A vet who attended the Suffolk bird flu outbreak is in hospital suffering from a mild respiratory illness, the Health Protection Agency has said.

Bird flu worker ill in hospital

[cazyncymru]

A vet who attended the Suffolk bird flu outbreak is in hospital suffering from a mild respiratory illness, the Health Protection Agency has said.

Bird flu worker ill in hospital

hopefully its just a bizarre coincidence

c x

[Simon]

Good evening Caz.

Not one for a conspiracy theory then.

Simon

[Charles.C]

Dear Simon,

Don't know about the foot and mouth but the reassuring comments I noticed looked worryingly reminiscent of the Mad Cow responses

As you say, let's hope for containment. I'm sure the geese will agree also !

Rgds / Charles.C

[cazyncymru]

I told my dad he was a bit premature in getting rid of his freezer!!!!!!!!!

[Simon]

I believe the guy has been given the all clear.

[Charles.C]

Dear All,

A more detailed picture is gradually emerging regardig this incident (links below).

Sems to be some divergence on the info. appearing on this subject as to the potential origin, location of any pathogenic virus and possible transfer to people handling suspect materials eg relative risks of live poultry, handling whole raw carcasses and handling finished meat products.

I don’t quite get the logic that there is considered no food safety risk to the consumer on the basis that no cases have yet been reported plus proper cooking will destroy any virus present in the meat. This appears analogous to the implicit acceptance of some salmonella in raw poultry but .......

Recent links are -
http://news.independ...icle2258898.ece
and
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L11786921.htm

A detailed analysis of the types of flu virus and significance is at –

http://fsrio.nal.usd...?product_id=207
(June 2006)

If sufficiently interested can compare above content to these older references -

http://news.bbc.co.u...lth/4377648.stm
and
http://www.who.int/m...s/2005/pr66/en/
(both items are 2005)

Rgds / Charles.C

Edited by Charles.C, 12 February 2007 - 06:24 PM.

[Simon]

Dear All,

A more detailed picture is gradually emerging regardig this incident (links below).

Sems to be some divergence on the info. appearing on this subject as to the potential origin, location of any pathogenic virus and possible transfer to people handling suspect materials eg relative risks of live poultry, handling whole raw carcasses and handling finished meat products.

I don’t quite get the logic that there is considered no food safety risk to the consumer on the basis that no cases have yet been reported plus proper cooking will destroy any virus present in the meat. This appears analogous to the implicit acceptance of some salmonella in raw poultry but .......

Recent links are -
http://news.independ...icle2258898.ece
and
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L11786921.htm

A detailed analysis of the types of flu virus and significance is at –

http://fsrio.nal.usd...?product_id=207
(June 2006)

If sufficiently interested can compare above content to these older references -

http://news.bbc.co.u...lth/4377648.stm
and
http://www.who.int/m...s/2005/pr66/en/
(both items are 2005)

Rgds / Charles.C

Thanks for the links Charles, I don't think there is any risk to the consumer at the moment, you cannot give turkey away over here. I have a Simple Simon question. Does bird flu affect other birds like chickens? Or is it just turkeys??? Time for bed.

[Charles.C]

Dear Simon,

I'm afraid the quick answer seems to be yes.
From the third link above -

"Avian species differ in their susceptibility to the type A influenza virus, but domestic chickens and turkeys are most susceptible, and large outbreaks have previously been initiated by direct or indirect contact with waterfowl.8 Generally, wild waterfowl are both natural and silent reservoirs of avian influenza viruses since they carry and transmit the virus to domestic birds and are asymptomatic because the virus is often nonpathogenic to them. ......etc"

Maybe a rethink necessary on pigeon pie ?

Rgds / Charles.C

[Simon]

Maybe a rethink necessary on pigeon pie ?

Ergh I cannot think of anything more horrible, strange though I eat chicken. I found a fresh dead pigeon on my doorstep the other morning, was it a present from you Charles?

[Charles.C]

Dear Simon,

Actually although never sampled personally (even rabbit stew gives me a few qualms), I seem to remember that such objects were even favoured by the royalty in times past (presumably after removal of the lead shot). Such activities always seemed a cruel activity to me but then you think about battery chickens and ...

Rgds / Charles.C

[Simon]

Dear Simon,

Actually although never sampled personally (even rabbit stew gives me a few qualms), I seem to remember that such objects were even favoured by the royalty in times past (presumably after removal of the lead shot). Such activities always seemed a cruel activity to me but then you think about battery chickens and ...

Rgds / Charles.C

Around the world eating certain animals is taboo in one country and the staple diet of another; this is without any logic as an animal is an animal at the end of the day. That said I find it particularly cruel of the Scots eating those Haggis in such large numbers.