since the occurrence of avian influenza (highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI) in Germany there is a general uncertainty over wild birds. Migratory birds spreading avian flu? This question is crucial.
have given it two positions:
- Had wild birds (or birds) no reservoir, then that would mean that the occurrence in the open (eg on Ruegen and in southern Germany) from Anthropogenic discharges precede the virus from the field of poultry must. Because there is HPAI "at home". It would, however, that the measures may be limited against the possible entry by wild birds (such as stabling and poultry) on a shorter period. Because in the wild the virus is not very long survive. Since the incubation period is only a few days, an infected bird dies quickly or sufficiently developed antibodies and is healthy again. In both cases the virus disappears from the wild bird population.
- were wild birds, however still a reservoir for HPAI, then could the avian flu again and again in Field occur and we would actually have to think long-term strategies against possible entries by wild birds in the field of poultry husbandry. This would leave us to avian influenza in Central Europe may be obtained even for years.
In January / February 2006 I visited on an ornithological tour South Korea and Hong Kong. In East Asia, the currently circulating avian influenza outbreaks of the H5N1 virus responsible for 10 years. Relevant experience with the disease are present there. I won after discussions with local ornithologists believe that it is extremely unlikely that wild birds can be a reservoir for avian influenza. Back in Germany I was confronted with the opposite view, which is also the competent authorities Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut regimes. The policy is largely in accordance with, and even after the outbreak in poultry farm in Saxony, Mr Seehofer out as the cause of wild birds.
I was involved with three letters spread over the Internet in the discussion. In this letter, I'm on the low probability of transmission by wild birds noted and possible alternatives. On multiple request, I have attached to this page. These letters contain a wealth of information and ideas zum Thema, auch Hinweise auf Literatur und andere Internetseiten. Ich habe die Schreiben der Authentizität willen unverändert gelassen.
Zusammengefasst sind es folgende Gründe, die eine Beteiligung von Zugvögeln an der Ausbreitung von HPAI so unwahrscheinlich werden lassen:
1. Die sprunghafte Ausbreitung innerhalb Asiens nach Westen und von Asien nach Europa folgt den Handelswegen und nicht irgendwelchen Vogelzuglinien, zumal viele Sprünge außerhalb der Vogelzugzeiten (und von Geflügelhaltung zu Geflügelhaltung) stattgefunden haben. Auch nach Deutschland gibt es keine Korrelationen zum Vogelzug. Gegenteilige Interpretationen von WHO und FLI sind reine Spekulationen, die nicht durch ornithologische Befunde gedeckt sind.
2. Die meisten sterbenden Vögel verenden an Ort und Stelle (der mutmaßlichen Infektion) bzw. fliegen noch maximal ein paar 100 km. Nicht erkrankende, aber infizierte Vögel, können das Virus für ein paar Tage ausscheiden. Dann müsste aber bald eine Neuinfektion erfolgen, wenn die Seuche wieder ausbrechen sollte. Dies ist im Freiland nicht oder kaum erfolgt. Vielmehr verschwindet die Seuche im Freiland recht schnell wieder.
3. In the outbreaks in the wild, there is no spread of the disease subjects. This would be expected, however, when migratory birds carry the virus.
4th So far no known migratory species, which can carry the virus without illness for an extended period of time. Either died of the bird or he lives, in both cases, the virus disappeared after a few days.
5th The virus can remain within the field outside the host is not very long (at higher temperatures only a few days in cold weather a few weeks).
6th Globally, almost no healthy birds with HPAI is found (with currently more than 100,000 sampled wild birds only 6 ducks at Poyang Lake in southeast China, is assumed to have, that they had been infected shortly before).
7th In countries with millions of immigrant birds from Asia last winter, virtually no outbreaks have been recorded in the field. However, when migratory birds an der Westausbreitung (quer zu ihrer Hauptzugrichtung) beteiligt sein sollten, hätte es zu Hunderten von Seuchenausbrüchen in den asiatischen Überwinterungsgebieten kommen müssen - da, wo sie tatsächlich hinziehen.
8. Die Geflügelpest macht vor Ländergrenzen halt (z.B. Japan, Süd-Korea, Malaysia, Phillippinen, Australien). Ausschlaggebend sind somit Einfuhrkontrollen und der Umgang mit den Geflügelhaltungen in den einzelnen Staaten, nicht aber Zugvögel, die Staatsgrenzen normalerweise ignorieren.
9. Wild birds are subject to natural selection so that HPAI affected individuals have no greater chance of survival.
A summary of the topic to the "Reviews of Birds" (published by the German Council for the Protection of Birds) is in preparation.
Briefly about myself: I am landscape designers, working in a nature protection authority in the area of species protection and live in Potsdam. For 30 years I have watched birds and am working hard and international issues of bird migration and bird conservation.
Clement Steiof
PS:
Männle Lord gave me some updated and current links sent to you. These are reproduced below (as of 14/05/2006):
Chen, H. et al. (2006): Establishment of multiple sublineages of H5N1 influenza virus in Asia: Implications for pandemic control. - PNAS 103 (8): 2845-2850.
http://flu.org.cn/upfile/attachment/0511120103v2.pdf
Gilbert, M. (2006): Free-grazing Ducks and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Thailand
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol12no02/05-0640.htm
Hulse-Post, DJ (2005): Role of domestic ducks in the propagation and biological evolution of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses in Asia
http://www.flu.org.cn/upfile/attachment/0504662102v1.pdf
addition, two online abstracts to:
Kou, Z. et al. (2005): New Genotype of Avian Influenza H5N1 Viruses Isolated from Tree Sparrows in China
http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/79/24/15460
Sturm-Ramirez, KM (2005): Are Ducks Contributing to the Endemicity of Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza Virus in Asia
http://jvi.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/79/17/11269
Finally some translations:
Grain Briefing (February 2006): Fowl play: The Poultry Industry's central role in the bird flu crisis. -
http://www.grain.org/briefings/?id=194
Männle, D. et al. (March 2006): Fowl play - Framed - The central Role of the poultry industry in the bird flu crisis. http://buendnis-gegen-keulung.de/InfobriefGRAIN.pdf
Feare, CJ (2006): Fish farming and the risk of spread of avian influenza.
www.birdlife.org / action / science / species / avian_flu / index.html
Männle, D. (2006): fish farms and the risk of spreading avian influenza. http://www.nabu.de/imperia/md/content/nabude/vogelschutz/vogelgrippe/10.pdf
addition:
Grain - Against the Grain (April 2006): The top-down global response to bird flu.
http://www.grain.org/articles/?id=12
Männle D. (April 2006): The global response of the authorities on bird flu.
http://buendnis-gegen-keulung.de/ AgainstTheGrain.pdf
