'Most Wanted' Birds Likely to Transmit Bird Flu
ABC NEWS
13 March 2006
Rhonda Schwartz and Maddy Sauer
Scientists in Alaska Gear Up for Unprecedented Testing
In an effort to detect likely carriers of the deadly H5N1 avian flu virus, U.S. government wildlife experts in Alaska are gearing up for an unprecedented program that surveils and tests migratory birds coming from Asia this spring.
ABC News has obtained a draft of a U.S. government study that ranks the migratory birds that pose the greatest concern. Scientists analyzed dozens of bird species that migrate between Asia and Alaska to determine the probability of each species contracting the deadly virus in Asia and bringing it to Alaska this summer. They ranked the birds according to the following criteria:
- Proportion of the species that winters in or migrates through Asia
- Contact with a known "hot spot" or source
- Habitats in Asia that increase likelihood of exposure to avian influenza
- Size of the population that travels to Alaska
- Ability to obtain a representative sample of significant size
The Izembek National Wildlife Refuge in Cold Bay, Alaska, is one of the westernmost points in the state where scientists will begin sampling in April. Scientists from several federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have joined forces in the widespread testing effort.
Click here to see images of the seven migratory bird species from Asia that scientists are most interested in testing for avian flu virus at the Izembek Refuge this spring (images courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).
With CWD Rates Static, Practice of Culling Deer and Elk will Stop
Grand Junction Sentinel
14 March 2006
With statewide infection rates of chronic wasting disease in big game not showing much change a half-decade after the Colorado Division of Wildlife began killing infected deer and elk, the practice will stop.
The infection rate of deer continues to be anywhere from less than 1 percent up to 10 percent of the local populations, with the heaviest infections on the Front Range in what’s known as the endemic area.
Meanwhile, elk show markedly lower signs of infection, from less than 1 to about 2.6 percent of the local population. Most of the CWD occurring in elk is found in the northwestern quarter of the state.
The DOW has made the decision to halt culling of suspected CWD-infected animals a half-decade after the treatment was considered the easiest way to stop the disease from spreading to wild animals and domestic livestock.
Avian Influenza Confirmed in a Wild Bird in Denmark: Danish authorities Applying Precautionary Measures
EUROPA
15 March 2006
The Danish authorities have informed the European Commission this morning of a confirmed case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 in Denmark in a common buzzard (Buteo buteo) found dead during the weekend in an area called Svinø Strand in southern Zealand. This location is close to a nature reserve and situated approximately 90 km from the German island Fehmarn. Samples will be sent to the Community Reference Laboratory for avian influenza in Weybridge for further tests to determine if this is the Asian strain of the H5N1 virus.
The Danish authorities have informed the Commission that they are applying the precautionary measures set out in the Commission Decision on certain protection measures in relation to highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild birds in the Community. The Decision sets out the measures to be applied in any EU Member State which detects a case of avian influenza H5 in wild birds which is suspected or confirmed to be the Asian strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus.
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