Why I am not unduly worried

[Guest guest]

Although we are reading of the rapid spread of the H5NI virus in

birds, and the latest new reports says that infected birds have now

been found in Switzerland, Slovenia and Niger(Africa),

I have no real fear of the H2H version occurring at the present time.

All occurrences of humans being infected have happened in countries

where the population live with their Chickens and Ducks; have low

standards of hygiene and allow their children to PLAY with dead

fowl, or pieces of them, and sometimes also, coming into contact

with dried Avian excreta.

This all points to a lack of good husbandry and hygiene, not to

mention common-sense.

Here in the UK., we do not allow children to play with dead birds,

don't live in the same accommodation as these birds, and adopt good

hygienic standards of farming, as does most of Western Europe. Were

I a chicken farmer, I might be worried about a loss of livelihood

should H5NI strike, but not about catching the disease myself.

I should worry more about someone from China or Vietnam (and not to

mention an African country) catching it from a Chicken and taking a

trip on a 'plane to this country or one where air-travel is

commonplace.