Do migratory birds spread the avian flu?
The role of migratory birds in the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza is not fully understood. Wild waterfowl are considered the natural reservoir of all influenza A viruses, usually in the low pathogenic form. They have probably carried influenza viruses, with no apparent harm, for centuries. Considerable circumstantial evidence suggests that migratory birds can introduce low pathogenic viruses to poultry flocks, which then mutate to the highly pathogenic form. [CDC] What about stopping the infected birds? The control of avian influenza infection in wild bird populations at this stage, is not feasible – from a logistical, environmental and biodiversity point of view. Indiscriminate culling of wild migratory bird populations would be ineffective in preventing further spread of avian influenza and their hunting would likely cause dispersion of the birds. [UN Food and Agriculture Organization] Wild birds play a critical role in the earths ecology through the pollination of one-t
