Should PM Landlords be concerned about H5N1 (Avian Flu)?

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Pat Kramer
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 10:48 am
Location: Ontario/Toronto

Due to the many calls, letters, and emails we have been receiving, we decided to provide the public with our article on this subject planned for Update Issue 15(1) in advance of printing. Issue 15(1) will be sent out in the coming weeks.

http://purplemartin.org/update/15.1-AvianFlu.pdf

Further questions about H5N1 should be directed to myself via email.

Further Reading:
Centers for Disease Control: Avian Flu
World Health Organization: Avian Flu
USGS National Wildlife Health Center: Avian Flu
Ornithological Council: Avian Influenza: what ornithologists and bird banders should know
Last edited by Pat Kramer on Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:51 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Patrick M. Kramer
York University
Formerly Research Assistant for PMCA - Please consider becoming a member of the PMCA.
Pat Kramer
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 10:48 am
Location: Ontario/Toronto

The USFWS has a page titled Avian Influenza in Wild Birds?Sources of Information with many links to information on the subject.
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issue ... ianFlu.htm

Bird Life International also has a good FAQ page:
http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/ ... index.html
Patrick M. Kramer
York University
Formerly Research Assistant for PMCA - Please consider becoming a member of the PMCA.
LarryMelcher/KY
Posts: 675
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2005 12:08 pm
Location: Kentucky/Shepherdsville

Patrick,
Thanks for going ahead and posting this information. The media is publicizing this, and I appreciate the PMCA keeping us landlords Up (to) Date....pardon the pun :-))

This won't stop me from enjoying PM's, TS's, or Bluebirds.....or my feeders.
I manage 2 public sites, and one at home, for a total of 172 cavities. Board Member / Non Profit PMCA.
Find videos that I edit for the PMCA Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/PurpleMartinPMCA
Jim Ray
Posts: 286
Joined: Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:53 pm
Location: Texas/Canyon

A friend of mine that works for the National Wildlife Disease Lab/Health Lab told me that West Nile Virus should be a greater concern for Purple Martins than Bird Flue. As we've seen, West Nile Virus hasn't affected martins much. We don't know this for sure, but I trust this guys background and word. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
RC Moser
Posts: 1546
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2003 3:25 am

IMO we should take precautions when in close or handling any fowl including wild birds, nests, and any airborne particularly that we may stir up. Who knows what could be in there. I always wear a dust mask or respirator and gloves, especially during clean outs. Why take a chance????
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