[mou] bird flu, birds and birders

[bluebill@surfbest.net]

This summer, on the arctic breeding areas where Asian species mingle
with American birds, more American birds will certainly become
infected with, and spread, the avian flu that is has made its way to
much of the other hemisphere, and has already been noted here=2E

While much of the information in the media focuses on the flu and its
anticipated mutation making it highly infectuous to humans, I have
been wondering about its effects on birds and birders=2E

In any population of wild birds, what percent will be infected, and
what percent of these will die=3F  Will we be seeing (or are we already
seeing) decreases in the populations of birds because of this flu=2E Is
the magnitude known or been the subject of learned speculation=3F  Will
some infected birds recover without obvious ill effects=3F

Is it like West Nile in that some species seem to be more susceptible
than others (if this is really true for West Nile)=3F

Will eagles, hawks, gulls and vultures that consume dead and dying
birds experience significant population drops because of this virus=3F
It is said to be transmissible in humans by the consumption of dead
birds=2E On the other hand, I have read that cooking the meat kills the
virus=2E

Do the federal or state agencies have any plans in place to remove
obvious concentrations of infected birds=3F What should lay people do
who observe dead and dying birds, whether in large concentrations of
small groups=3F

Will waterfowl and upland game hunters and researchers be infected by
handling and eating infected birds=3F Is there any way to tell if a
bird is infectuous, or do the birds die rapidly after the virus is
active (it seems apparent that this is not true, based on the global
spread of the organism by migrating and wondering birds=2E)

Are birds that consume other birds the most likely to get this virus,
or does it spread from bird to bird through the air, and through
fecal contamination=2E=20

Birders-- are we at increased risk because we are exposed to fecal
matter by proximity to concentrated birds at our feeders=3F Are we at
increased risk by the fecal dust that is in the nest material we
remove from houses on our bluebird trails and in our yards=3F

It is clear that there is much to learn about this virus, at least
for me, to know about what steps to take to prevent its spread and
human infection=2E=20

Sorry for the length of this=2E But I think many are interested and we
need to learn more about what's coming and what to do about it=2E

Don Grussing
Minnetonka, Minn=2E
bluebill@surfbest=2Enet