Hunting of birds may cause flu epidemic: Experts, Assam- India

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Link: www.sentinelassam.com

 

Hunting of birds may cause flu epidemic: Experts

 

By a Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 10: Random illegal hunting and catching of migratory

birds pose the threat of spreading the avian flu virus in the human

society, which may break out as a pandemic, warned ornithologists.

The reported death of over a hundred migratory birds at Panidihing

bird sanctuary in recent times has created much panic and confusion

among various quarters.

 

However, noted ornithologist Anowaruddin Choudhury thinks that the

Panidihing incidents were in no way connected with the deadly

virus. " Hunting of birds using poison is an old practice in several

villages in this region, " he said, while talking to The Sentinel.

Choudhury conducted the first scientific survey on birds in

Panidihing in the late Eighties, which provided the base to

declaring it as a bird sanctuary later.

 

Warning bells were rung by the State Forest Department following a

directive from New Delhi for taking precautionary measures to

prevent damages by the possible spread of the bird flu virus. But

the situation so far is not so alarming, said Choudhury, who

attended the recent meeting along with officials of the various

State Government departments, including Environment and Forest,

Health and Veterinary held at the State Zoo complex, that discussed

the preparation to deal with the possible hazard. " Some avian flu

cases have already been reported, though not so alarming in

proportion in South East Asia, " he said.

 

A global flu pandemic could kill as many as 150 million people if

the world fails to prepare for an expected mutation of the bird flu

virus enabling it to spread from human to human, said the United

Nations in a recent communique. It has been reported that the World

Health Organization (WHO) has been asked to start a worldwide drive

to contain the danger. The report said the avian flu killed more

than 40 million people across the world in 1918, after the first

great War.

 

In winter migratory birds generally come to Assam from Northern

China, Siberia, Mongolia and Tibet, said the noted birder. According

to him, people resort to hunting of migratory birds between

September and April. But the fact that this practice poses hazard to

humans too is not known. The flesh of these birds may spark the fire

of an epidemic among human beings, he added.

 

An awareness is the need of the hour in this regard, the birder

suggested. Even pathologists are instructed to take utmost safeguard

while examining any suspected case, he said. On the other hand, he

warned that unnecessary rumour in this regard can hit the chicken

industry badly, which has become the livelihood of thousands of

unemployed youth of the State. Lakhs of chicken were slaughtered out

of panic last year, he pointed out.