I just heard on the news that Russia will be suspending its migratory bird hunting season this year because of the bird flu. They have recently been hit hard in Southern Russia with bird flu transmitted from migratory waterfowl. It is predicted that in approximately three to four weeks the bird flu will be in Alaska due to the migration of birds to our coast. Does anyone know if any taxidermy organization is staying on top of the bird flu situation since it is transmitted to humans by handling dead birds?
Return to Bird Taxidermy Category Menu
That's a good question...I brought this up at a Taxidermy competition this weekend. Nobody seems concerned. I know my wife doesn't want The bird flu in our freezer?
we should all be concerned expecially since it is carried by migratory waterfowl and it is transmitted from birds to birds and from birds to people. Since they predict that it will be in the lower 48 this fall, we should do some investigating. Not sure who to talk to, maybe start with my vet and see where that leads.
probably more at risk for West Nile, Lymes, Rabies, etc.
Just follow standard precautions: keep things clean, gloves, mask when wheeling, etc.
More of a potential risk for the Free Range Poultry Industry or intensive farms like Perdue---wild birds contaminating domestic stock. Increase $$$ for Poultry products in the future?
The PTA is working very closely with the PA Dept. of Ag with regards to CWD and Avian influenza. I get daily updates from the state vet on what is being discovered and where. If you want any info feel free to email me at tri0900 "at" velocity "dot" net.
I would be happy to forward some stuff to you.
Paul Czarnecki
www.tristatetaxidermy.com
He said the concensus is that it's not a matter of "if" it will be here, but "when". The Delmarva peninsula is a hotbed for poultry production and Delaware is likely to be devastated by the disease when it hits. As others have stated, it is still unknown if the disease with cross over into a human strain. Even though several dozen people have died from the disease, they are quick to note that these incidents are in under developed countries and third world countries without many of the measures and innoculations that we have in place here.
So, I guess we're all screwed...J/K...I just wonder how many taxidermists take precautions, gloves, masks...to be honest...Most I know don't...
No matter what, it will effect us all...Just imagin if they start cancelling Waterfowl seasons...For those who do birds for a living...That has got to be scary. For those who love to hunt birds like I do...That is even scarier! It's the only reason I live where I live...For Pete's sakes it's 11 degrees right now!
As of today, about 98 people have died and that is about 50% of the people who have come down with the bird flu. It is nasty stuff.
Until the virus transfers from Human to Human...I don't think people will take it seriously...Let's face it...As of right now, you have a much better chance of dying from human infulenza. Thousands of people die from that every winter in the U.S. and you don't hear about it. As bird taxidermists however, it's a good idea to be on the forefront of information on this. I skinned out a bird over lunch that was shot in Alaska...You can bet I was wearing gloves!
Will the Avian Virus die once frozen? Obviously gloves is a good idea no matter what when skinning and handling...How about masks? Anybody wearing when skinning & fleshing?
I have a friend in the health care field, they already have plans in the work's and as was stated it will be "WHEN" it goes people to people,mounting bird's will be the least of our problems.
but here goes. If they cancel hunting season, then wouldn't it spread even faster because there would be more birds? Isn't that one of the reasons for thinning flocks/herds? BP
freaked out. this doesn't sound good, I'm seeing some real freaky things here. It all seems sureal to me, thats going to suck major.
The sky is falling, the sky is falling
everyone calm down my friend is a microbiologist and he says that the media is making it out to be worse than it is.ok so 98 have died that is not that many considering how many people die of other diseases everyday,here is one cancer.anyway just make sure you cook your birds all the way through and do were glove,mask,etc. also the biggest one of all WASH YOUR HANDS PROPERLY
Im hearing a lot of stuff bout this bird flu, scan some forms you will see. I really dont know what to think...If this hits the US...that can be a pi$$er. What about the dogs? will they get that crap from holding birds in their mouth?
I wouldn't be concerned about your dog they eat thier own Sh*t for christ sakes.
that is true anything that can eat sh#t should be able to handle a little flu lol..........
If you would all check the World Health Organization website, you will get the factual information and keep it in perspective.
Yes it is carried by migratory birds, and has been for a long time- naturally, and yes people have died from contracting the virus after associiation with sick poultry. Naturally the greatest concern is that it will become pandemic, ie human to human and become a medical emergency,, and of course cause devistation to the poultry industry, and the potential fobia of eating poultry and eggs, worth billions to the economy.
Already tens of thousands of people die annually of the flu, and the biggest killer of humans annually is dirty water.
A case of a cat contracting bird flu has already been documented in Europe, so unless you use a retriever cat, the odds are very slim.
And finally it is a virus, it requires a living host, and even like the HIV virus which is reported as dying within 10 seconds of exposure outside the body to the air, in a dead frozen bird, it has been reported you will have no chances of contracting the virus.
It is not a disease like FMD which can be carried or passed on from hoofed mammal to hoofed mammal simply by walking from one field to another field
And if they close down the waterfowl season, it will only be because of the hysteria created from mis information that might cause panic and liabilities within the community.
If you shoot ducks, and you are worried about touching it straight away, dont, or stay home
You wont stop birds carrying the flu from migrating, though some will die on the way.
Funny how the researchers are only reporting upon the birds arriving, obviously the dead one along the way are no longer a threat to anyone outerwise there would be mop up crews following the migrating flocks and falling birds.
Again read the WHO web site
I guess from a Taxidermists prospective...The line that the Avian Flu is a Virus and that requires a living host...Should make us all feel a lot better!
Went to the WHO web site myself and this seems to go against the previous post. This is from the WHO web site on the Fact Sheet!
Apart from being highly contagious among poultry, avian influenza viruses are readily transmitted from farm to farm by the movement of live birds, people (especially when shoes and other clothing are contaminated), and contaminated vehicles, equipment, feed, and cages. Highly pathogenic viruses can survive for long periods in the environment, especially when temperatures are low. For example, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus can survive in bird faeces for at least 35 days at low temperature (4oC). At a much higher temperature (37oC), H5N1 viruses have been shown to survive, in faecal samples, for six days.
Sounds like to me taxidermists would definatly be at a high risk once it gets here. Here's another enlighting paragraph from the WHO Web Site...
All evidence to date indicates that close contact with dead or sick birds is the principal source of human infection with the H5N1 virus. Especially risky behaviours identified include the slaughtering, defeathering, butchering and preparation for consumption of infected birds. In a few cases, exposure to chicken faeces when children played in an area frequented by free-ranging poultry is thought to have been the source of infection. Swimming in water bodies where the carcasses of dead infected birds have been discarded or which may have been contaminated by faeces from infected ducks or other birds might be another source of exposure.
to work from. It is kind of like the one John Travolta had to live in, but a lot cooler looking since it wasnt made in the seventies. I think Van Dykes will be carrying them soon. remember to bring a bottle in with you in case you have to go to the bathroom.
This directly from the WHO web site as well...
On-going outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in poultry in Asia and, more recently, in Europe and Africa have raised concerns about multiple sources of infection and the risk to humans from various exposures. On present evidence, the vast majority of human cases have acquired their infection following direct contact with infected live or dead poultry. WHO is aware of concerns that the virus could also spread to humans through contact with contaminated poultry products. To date, no epidemiological data suggest that the disease can be transmitted to humans through properly cooked food (even if contaminated with the virus prior to cooking). However, in a few instances, cases have been linked to consumption of dishes made of raw contaminated poultry blood.