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| Down Under |
| Bird Flu reaches Australia |
| 2005-10-20 |
| PIGEONS exposed to bird flu have been quarantined in Melbourne in the first local scare since the outbreak hit Asia and Europe. Three pigeons imported from Canada have tested positive to bird flu antibodies after being brought by plane to Australia. Another four tested positive to antibodies for Newcastle disease, which has the potential to sweep through the bird population. In a shock development, it emerged that Canadian quarantine authorities had certified the infected birds as disease-free. The birds were part of a wider shipment of 102 racing and show pigeons that arrived on September 5 and have since been quarantined at Spotswood. It was confirmed last night the infection posed no health threat to humans. Further tests are expected to be done on the pigeons. Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran said he had ordered an immediate inquiry into the breach of Canada's bird flu defences. The minister will also demand answers from the Canadian ambassador as to why paperwork accompanying the consignment said the birds had the all-clear for all viruses. "I am deeply concerned at the breach in security by Canadian authorities," Mr McGauran said. "But I am thankful that the Australian system is so rigorous." Bird flu has killed dozens of people and has the potential to kill millions if it mutates into a form transmissible between humans. A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, H7, was discovered on a farm in Canada's west in February 2004. The three pigeons with bird flu antibodies in Melbourne will be put down while the remaining 99 will be either sent back to Canada or killed. Testing positive to antibodies means the infected pigeons were exposed to a strain of bird flu. Health experts said last night that further detailed tests would be required to determine the threat posed by the discovery. "It is not possible to tell the strain of influenza," Mr McGauran said. There was no threat to humans, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service said last night. Professor Greg Tannock, an RMIT virology expert, told the Herald Sun that birds carrying the antibodies would have been exposed to a strain of bird flu at some point. "It depends on how soon they made the antibodies," he said. "The worry is that there could be some virus hanging around as well. "The antibodies don't arrive unless you've had the virus: the question is if they've still got it." The birds were last night being held in level four security at AQIS's Spotswood headquarters. This is the highest level of security possible for diseased animals. They also have been tested for other avian illnesses including Newcastle disease, a highly contagious disease that can devastate the poultry and caged birds industries. Newcastle disease is a viral disease that affects chickens, as well as caged and wild birds. The exact strain of bird flu detected at Spotswood was unclear last night. The H5N1 bird flu strain has killed more than 60 people in Asia since 2003. It has since spread to Europe, including Greece and Turkey. AQIS spokesman David Finlayson said the birds at Spotswood were no danger to the community because they were already being held in high-security quarantine when they were tested and the antibodies detected. "There is absolutely no risk at all," he said. |
| Posted by:God Save The World AKA Oztralian |
| #1 Another four tested positive to antibodies for Newcastle disease, which has the potential to sweep through the bird population. Hmmm.. I seem to remember there was a small outbreak of Newcastle Disease in '99 in a couple of parts of NSW... |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2005-10-20 20:25 |