I know I'm jumping the gun here, but has there been much discussion about the bird flu (H5N1 virus) affecting waterfowl or any other birds type buisness or the potential dangers to taxidermist. Just wondering since the "government" keeps saying not "IF", but "WHEN" it arrives. I looked in the archives but I didn't find much. Maybe I'm typing the wrong search criteria. George you've been around a while. Have you ever delt with anything like this?
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Keller, check out March 14 & 16 for some discussion.on Bird Flu
Two independent studies done in Britain and Sweden (I think) have determined that the H5N1 might well be incapable for creating a pandemic. Both studies say that the virus attaches itself inside the body too deeply to be transferred from one person to another (now that's basic laymens language). I suspect that by the time it does arrive here, it will require domestic fowl to be slaughtered, but there's really not much else that can be done. Wild waterfowl it seems have had the virus inside them for sometime now. Since the migration is going north, the threat is reduced somewhat, but the prime concern is the fall migration south.
These "pandemic" virus's are really nothing new and occur about once every 10 to 15 years. I've survived the Asian Flue, theSwine Flu and the Hong Kong flu. Chaos from these things are ALWAYS generated in that swill infested cloister of humanity in South East Asia where it's truly amazing that any human could survive that filth. Third world undeveloped counties are rife with susceptibility to become infected with this disease.
I've always worked on birds with rubber gloves. Years ago I always wore a dusk mask when skinning them and laziness changed that habit. It would still be a great idea to do that because of the fine feathers and down that are cut and float around to be inhaled. I still have my shop vac nozzle pulling the dust and feathers away when get the really downed up birds.
So I'm not Chicken Little, but I do think that there are many safeguards that a responsible taxidermist should take while performing our work. Far too many of us are just too casual and laid back in what we do. We work with DEAD ANIMALS, a repository of zillions of bad bacteria, insects, and viruses and we still don't all use rubber gloves, or face shields or dust masks. We've met the enemy and he is US.
Jim thanks for the dates that was a big discussion and what I was looking for. Good info in there...George thank you for the education. I do appreciate the insight you give to this site... So pandemic viruses happen about every 10-15 years and you've been through 3 of them (well now 4) so that makes you 40-60 years old. Yep if I were you I wouldn't take crap from anyone either.
Thanks again guys,
Paul