Bird Flu Center

Although no bird flu cases have yet been discovered in North America, U.S. authorities are keen to prevent a possible spread of the disease from Asia and have started testing wild birds in Alaska for a possible infection. Alaska is a meeting place for waterfowl, as wild birds from both Asia and America choose it as a feeding and nesting place during the summer months. Experts fear this could prove an easy opportunity for the deadly bird flu virus to enter America.

The project includes testing of more than 15,000 birds from 27 species in the region this summer alone and benefits from government sponsoring. Biologists camped in Alaska for this program say such measures could prove very effective as part of the nationwide program designed to identify early on a possible source of the virus in the country. And while some say the threat of the disease has been largely overstated, U.S. officials are not leaving any rock unturned.

Scientists in the U.S. state of Michigan started a campaign of geese testing, scouting for a possible avian influenza infection. Workers are grabbing geese one by one and collecting their droppings, before setting them free. Veterinarian Steve Schmitt declares this is a national effort and that all U.S. states are doing the tests.

Although no infection has appeared in America yet, scientists believe these tests will help catch bird flu at its latest, and Michigan authorities in particular are keen to test two thousand birds by the end of the year.

The Washington National Zoo has removed the ducks and chickens usually on display in the Kids’ section, both as a precaution against a possible bird flu infection and also to secure a degree of comfort among visitors. Other wild birds currently kept there, such as emus, vultures, shriekers and hummingbirds, were not targeted by this measure.

The highly pathogenic bird flu virus has not been yet found neither in Washington, nor in other states, however millions of birds have been killed in Asia and the disease is believed to be spreading fast.

Zoo officials declared the birds were relocated to its research center in Front Royal, Virginia and this action was only part of a number of safeguards put in place for the health of its bird collection. The establishment is also using a surveillance program and disinfectant foot baths for its workers.