As everyone is aware the bird flu is in asia and many of the european coutries. This epidemic is transmitted through domestic as well as many migratory birds. Although their are no reported cases in the U.S. (yet), my question is how will bird flu affect the taxidermy industry, and what precautionary measures, if any, should we as taxidermists take to avoid catching this ourselves. I might be getting ahead of myself in knowing that only about .15% of migratory birds sampled cary this live virus but the thought is still there is my paranoia to much?
thanks
justin
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Afghan Bird Flu Discovery Poses No Danger to U.S. Troops
American Forces Press Service ^ | Gerry Gilmore
Posted on 03/16/2006 4:17:38 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2006 - The discovery that avian, or bird, flu has come to Afghanistan poses no danger to American troops conducting operations there, a U.S. general told Pentagon reporters today. "There's not really much implication on U.S. force protection at all," Army Maj. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 76, said from Afghanistan during a satellite teleconference.
First, American forces don't conduct operations in the areas from where positive samples of bird flu virus were taken, Freakley pointed out. And, "we buy all of our food products from outside vendors exterior to Afghanistan," the general said.
Freakley, who wears another hat as commander of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., said his soldiers were briefed on the danger of bird flu and how to protect themselves against the virus before they deployed to Afghanistan. For example, soldiers in Afghanistan realize that maintaining good personal hygiene is a useful strategy in avoiding the bird flu, the general said.
"I don't really see that this (bird flu) poses a threat to us at all," Freakley said.
A joint U.N.-Afghan government communiqué released today confirmed that bird flu has come to Afghanistan. The virus strain, known as H5N1, has been found in India, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe. The virus has killed hundreds of thousands of birds around the globe, as well as 98 people.
Currently people only get the virus from close contact with infected birds. Scientists fear the spread of the virus could evolve into a worldwide pandemic if it mutates and spreads from human to human.
Unfortunately it will be here very soon. When the migrating flocks from Asia cross to Alaska it will come strait down the west coast with other migrating flocks. Good news is no signs in Alaska yet, but they say it won't be long. Hope they are wrong!