Birdwatching is safe: Society
The Sun, 28 Feb 2006

KUALA LUMPUR: Is birdwatching safe in the light of the current bird flu situation?

According to Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) the rate of transfer of virus from infected poultry to humans is still very low and the chance of catching it from a single exposure is therefore very low.

Almost all of the victims who have been infected with the virus were in very close and repeated contact with diseased poultry.

"The risk drops even further when we talk about humans being infected directly from wild birds and there is no confirmed evidence of this having happened at all ­ not even in the disease hot spots.

"Only birds like ducks and geese may be carriers of the virus. Birds like raptors are not carriers.

If they get the virus, they will die relatively quick. Thus, migratory raptors are safe as sick birds would not be healthy enough to fly over long distances," said MNS executive director Dr Loh Chi Leong in a statement.

The raptors at Raptor Watch, he added, are not coming from the hotspots for H5N1 virus such as Vietnam and Southern China.

They have been noted to be disease-free in Indonesia and Australia for the last four to five months and are now flying back to East Asia.

MNS also disclosed that the Veterinary Department has sampled several thousand migratory birds in the last three years and have never found one infected bird.

"It is safe to attend Raptor Watch. We will even be having a doctor from the Veterinary Department giving a talk at the event to educate people more about bird flu and to dispel unfounded worries," he said.

BirdLife International assures that birdwatching remains safe, though one should avoid touching sick or dead birds, their droppings or water near them. One is advised to observe sensible hygiene precautions like washing hands after handling equipment that has been splashed with bird droppings.