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NewsAsia 27 Oct 05 AVA ups checks on migratory birds to keep avian flu at bay By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia Singapore is free from avian flu. But the authorities are not letting up on their tight control over bird imports. They are also keeping tabs on migratory and wild birds. At Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has stepped up migratory bird testing for avian flu to twice a month during the peak migratory season from September to March. AVA says bird imports to Singapore are not quarantined since they come from bird-flu free countries. But imported birds have to be isolated in their home country for three weeks and tested safe from bird flu before export. These are then inspected and tested again for avian influenza upon arrival. These are all part of new rules implemented since September this year. Some 1,000 birds from places like the Philippines and Guinea have been imported since then. And none has tested positive for bird flu. "There have been no cases of wild birds tested positive for H5N1 virus. Dead birds won't fly, then it won't affect. But I think the important thing is that they're trying to test whether migratory birds do carry the H5N1 virus and if they do, we may have very severe consequences," said Lim Kim Keang, chairman of Birdlife Asia Council, Bird Group, Nature Society (Singapore). Bird flu can infect many species of birds and domestic poultry like chickens are at the highest risk. Mr Lim said: "There are many strains of this avian flu. The low virulent strains have been endemic and well-known in wild birds for a long time. They cause low or very mild illness. But when you have this low virulent virus coming into the poultry because of their very close proximity to those domestic birds, there is a chance of mutation and then you get this high virulent virus occurring." And AVA says it's spread bird-to-bird through contact with faeces and respiratory liquids. Birds can also get it through contaminated food and water. Infected birds may carry the virus without clinical signs. Sudden death is one of the few ways to tell. The Jurong Bird Park is also taking measures, like giving flu jabs to birds and staff as well as disinfecting floor mats for visitors in case they step on droppings as they get up close with the birds. links Related articles on Global issues: Bird Flu |
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