World Health Organization Publishes Findings that Point to Indirect Spread of H5N1

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Reuters just published an article outlining a recent study on H5N1 (the avian flu) by the World Health Organization. Researchers noted that, "In one quarter or more of patients with influenza A (H5N1) virus infection, the source of exposure is unclear, and environment-to-human transmission remains possible...For some patients, the only identified risk factor was visiting a live-poultry market. It could be that small particles of virus-contaminated fluid stuck to surfaces, they said. Or perhaps fertilizer made from infected bird feces somehow carried the virus into people's noses or mouths."

This has implications beyond the realm of domestic birds. This means that wild migratory birds can spread bird flu through their droppings. The research points to the idea that H5N1 is spread in the same way as histoplasmosis or cryptococcosis (particle of fecal matter can be inhaled and introduced to the body through mucus membranes).

Hopefully this discovery will spur a more proactive approach to containing the spread of bird flu. I have noticed that whenever an outbreak of bird flu appears, people react with a protective zone which limits interactions with birds. Wouldn't it be more helpful to utilize exclusion technologies before the outbreak in order to prevent it from happening? Individuals who work with domestic birds should take this information to heart and seriously consider a strategy for keeping their birds safe from bird flu. This might also be the time for the general public to consider that in the past, our most devastating influenza outbreaks affected people with the strongest immune systems by using the mechanisms of the immune system to actually spread the virus and cause permanent damage to tissues.

How to: Keep Birds from Flying into your Windows

We've all probably heard that horrifying "thunk" before. You look up at your window only to see a bird laying at the ground next to it. Sometimes the bird has died on impact, sometimes it lies there in shock and you sit there wondering if will pull though. Either way, after a bird flies into a window, most people find themselves wondering if there is anything they could have done to prevent it.

The answer is "yes". There are a lot of things that we can do to prevent this from happening again. Birds fly into windows for a couple reasons. The first reason is that, often, birds will not even realize the window is there. They may fly into it trying to access something inside your home or office that seems appealing. Or, they may see the reflection of the sky and not realize that it is only a reflection. The other reason that birds might fly into a window is that territorial birds often see their reflection and assume that there is another bird vying for the territory. The bird will then attempt to divebomb its own reflection.

To show birds that there is a window there, it might be helpful to place decals on the glass. However, to add strength to your approach, you will want to use other bird exclusion techniques. Place visual bird scares near any windows that seems to attract birds. In the case of outfitting a home, this could be in the form of holographic tape, scare balloons or lifelike predator decoys. For large office buildings, you might consider using a sonic device.

Remember, if a bird dies on your property, call a wildlife specialist before removing the body. There might be disposal procedures. NEVER, touch a wild bird with your bare hands.