[Fleecewife]

Has anyone heard on the grapevine any new hints or info of when our birds will be freed?

[harmony]

The gov.uk site was updated on the 11th of March. 15 confirmed cases in England. 2 in Scotland. 1 in Wales. 21 cases in wild birds since beginning of year with none for last four weeks.


I think that's fairly positive that it shouldn't be much longer.


Wild bird cases are mostly waterfowl and then birds of prey.

[Fleecewife]

Thanks harmony, that is starting to look positive 

[Perris]

sadly a red kite is now reported, West Yorkshire, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/969204/ai-findings-2021.csv/preview
and, somewhere in England undated but reported this week, 3 seals and a fox
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=ed7a7a3d-c40e-4072-a3ab-dc2354e75e4c&utm_content=daily
(under 'other events in England')
so it's not over yet.

[harmony]

sadly a red kite is now reported, West Yorkshire, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/969204/ai-findings-2021.csv/preview
and, somewhere in England undated but reported this week, 3 seals and a fox
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=ed7a7a3d-c40e-4072-a3ab-dc2354e75e4c&utm_content=daily
(under 'other events in England')
so it's not over yet.

No it is still out there but not in huge numbers. Poor bio security is a major spreader of the disease between units.

[Womble]

Folks, I caught a really interesting programme on Radio 4 today, called "the jump". Today's episode was talking about bird flu, and how scientists are really worried about the potential for it to jump species.

Suddenly all the current restrictions make much more sense in that context, and with the in-depth explanations given. It's also worth listening to in the context of smallholding vs intensive farming. You can catch it on iplayer etc:

BBC Radio 4 - The Jump, The Jump: Bird Flu

[Perris]

as it's just been found in 3 seals and a fox (see my previous post), it certainly can jump species.

[Rosemary]

how scientists are really worried about the potential for it to jump species.

This has always been a concern - mainly the "jump" to humans.
I hope we get the hens out soon or I've nowhere to put my tomatoes.

[Womble]

One of the things they said was that they have evidence of jumps from wild to captive and back to wild birds again, plus also jumps to pigs (hence where swine flu came from). "So, what's the chance of another pandemic occuring at some point, caused by a jump of something like H5N8 into people?", asked the interviewer. "Oh, at some point, that's almost certain", said the scientist.

[harmony]

One of the things they said was that they have evidence of jumps from wild to captive and back to wild birds again, plus also jumps to pigs (hence where swine flu came from). "So, what's the chance of another pandemic occuring at some point, caused by a jump of something like H5N8 into people?", asked the interviewer. "Oh, at some point, that's almost certain", said the scientist.

This is not new. Guidance for pig keepers already exists in the case of bird flu outbreaks and a different movement licence is needed in high risk zones if you keep poultry and pigs on the same premises. I think it is highly likely if you had an outbreak of bird flu on your premises and have pigs your pigs could be culled.


It has long been known that you can pass a human cold to a ferret and other animals get covid type infections.


Look at all the variants of covid we have circulating already.

[SallyintNorth]

One of the things they said was that they have evidence of jumps from wild to captive and back to wild birds again, plus also jumps to pigs (hence where swine flu came from). "So, what's the chance of another pandemic occuring at some point, caused by a jump of something like H5N8 into people?", asked the interviewer. "Oh, at some point, that's almost certain", said the scientist.

It's one of the major mechanisms for influenza mutations.  Jump to another species, mutate there a bit so original species will no longer recognise it, jump back.  And variations on that theme.  I was taught this at uni over 40 years ago.  So no, not new.  Oh, and at that time, it was said that the average interval between pandemic-level mutations (affecting humans, I mean) was 33 years.

[Richmond]

Restrictions are being lifted at end of the month - just heard 

[Fleecewife]

Yay 

[wildandwooly]

  I feel a big chicken/duck party coming on   

[DippyEgg]

So am I right in thinking they can come out tomorrow? Sounds too good to be true!