UN: Migratory Birds Not Major Cause of Flu Transmission

According to this article, migratory birds play a minor role in the long-distance spread of avian influenza. Speaking at the Living Lakes Conference in China, Dr. Vincent Martin, an official with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said that the unregulated development of animal production and the trade of poultry and poultry products are the main causes of the spread of bird flu.

According to Marco Barbieri of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), misinformation is largely responsible for the belief that wild birds are to be blamed for the spread of avian flu. Barbieri said that other modes of transmissions, including human movements, the trade in caged birds and the trade in poultry and poultry products may play a greater role in the spread of the disease, but they do not receive adequate exposure in the media. He spoke of the need to present an accurate and balanced view of the situation, and that disproportionate exposure “creates political pressure for ill-advised and disproportionate policies such as the culling or harassment of wild birds and the destruction of wetland habitats."

According to the article, the loss of wetlands has brought wild birds into closer contact with domestic fowl, which increases the risk of cross-infection. UN officials offered the following suggestions to lessen the risk of cross-infection:

• Separate poultry operations and wetlands used by wild birds
• Improve hygiene and bio-security standards on farms
• Synthesise information on the routes and timing of water bird migration
• Avoid counter-productive measures such as destruction of natural habitats and culling of wild birds
• Strengthen field surveillance of wild birds and enhance understanding of wild bird migration