U.S. finds low-risk H5N1 bird flu strain in ducks

[Up2Late]

(This, to me, is the most disturbing part: "...the samples, collected on August 2..." It took almost a MONTH to get these results! The USDA is dragging it's collective feet even during the TESTING! I guess so they don't cost the poultry industry any precautionary losses. :mad: )

U.S. finds low-risk H5N1 bird flu strain in ducks

Fri Sep 1, 2006 05:42 PM ET

By Charles Abbott

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Mallard ducks in Maryland have tested positive for bird flu, apparently a common, less pathogenic strain that poses no risk to humans, the U.S. Agriculture and Interior departments said on Friday.

The H5N1 avian influenza virus was found in fecal samples from "resident wild" mallards in Queen Anne's County in Maryland, on the U.S. central Atlantic coast. "Testing has ruled out the possibility of this being the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain that has spread through birds in Asia, Europe and Africa," said USDA in a statement. "Test results thus far indicate this is low pathogenic avian influenza, which poses no risk to human health."

Five to 10 more days will be needed for definitive tests to confirm whether low-pathogenic H5N1 bird flu was found in the United States for the second time this year. On August 14, the virus was found in two mute swans in Michigan. Scientists say low pathogenic avian influenza commonly occurs in wild fowl.

The Maryland mallards did not appear sick so the samples, collected on August 2 as part of a research project, were not given high priority when sent to USDA labs for testing. "The birds are alive and well," said a USDA spokeswoman.

(more at link) <http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=13368317>

[mike_c]

1. don't freak out....

There are many strains of H5N1, and low pathogenicity strains been known in North American wildfowl for years. This isn't news. It's a case of a journalist exploiting a hot button topic (maybe without understanding it).

[TomInTib]

2. Correct. Almost all waterfowl carry light forms of influenza strains.

Heck that's where echinacea (sp?) comes from.

[InkAddict]

6. Echinacea is an herbal supplement from the purple coneflower

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea

[TomInTib]

7. Duh... sometimes I get mixed up. What do they call the goose liver

extract?

[InkAddict]

8. Do you mean duck/goose pate?

http://www.jewishveg.com/media03.html

To produce foie gras, a duck or goose is restrained and a metal pipe is shoved down the bird's throat and into the stomach. A massive quantity of corn is pressure-driven down the pipe, often causing a rupture of the bird's stomach or esophogus, leading to a very slow and agonizing death. Vomiting is often prevented by tying an elastic band around the bird's throat. This force feeding process takes place 3 to 5 times a day for a month, and transforms the 2 to 3 ounce liver into a 1 to 2 pound mass known as foie gras. :puke:

[54anickel]

4. Good to know, since it's usually touted as the end of the world when

it's found elsewhere. Shit, even Cheney used to play that one up. Maybe Rummy's looking to cash in before the going gets tough.

Just never know what you can believe anymore. Is it worse than what you've been lead to think and they are down playing it, or is it just like you say - an over reaching journalist? It's not that I don't trust my fellow DUers, it's just that I don't trust "them" at all.

I'll take your word for it, and I thank you for the sanity check. Lord knows we have plenty of other issues to worry about these days. Thanks. :hi:

[kestrel91316]

3. This is the "normal" strain. Nothing to write home about.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. "The Maryland mallards did not appear sick"

Does this mean they've already had the flu and recovered?

[Up2Late]

9. Good Question.

I wish I knew too.