`Do a study before blaming wild birds'
"There is need for a detailed study to understand this situation rather than jump to conclusions without proof or better information."
by Llew-Ann Phang
The Sun, 27 Mar 2006

PETALING JAYA: While Malaysia is a transit point for migratory water birds the world over between August and April, it cannot be concluded that these birds are to blame for the avian flu outbreak in the country.

Experts say thorough investigations need to be done before fingers are pointed at the winged creatures as carriers of the H5N1 in the East AsianAustralasian flyway.

Wetlands International (WI) waterbird conservation officer David Li told theSun there is a need to understand the details of the situation, including the locations of the outbreak, their surroundings and whether there is interaction between the wild birds and domestic poultry.

"There is need for a detailed study to understand this situation rather than jump to conclusions without proof or better information.

"Outbreaks worldwide have shown some of the factors include bird trade, the trading of bird products like meat, eggs and feathers, merit release and cockfighting, but in Malaysia, before blaming the water birds, there has to be a detailed study.

"If there is none, there may be wrong decisions or destruction or damage to our natural resources," Li said.

WI, like the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS), is not denying completely that migratory birds may have a role in the spread of the disease but is stressing the need to monitor not just poultry but also water birds to have a better understanding of the wild birds.

Studies, he said, will enable better understanding of the migratory birds' routes and correct information must be presented to the public to alleviate fear.

"Up till now, there are no instances in which bird flu is transmitted to humans by wild birds, but there has to be a reduction in the potential ways of interaction between wild birds and domestic poultry.

"The birds should be caged in a certain area instead of being allowed to run free and, in transportation of poultry, there has to be strict monitoring," Li said.

There are three major types of migratory birds (egrets, shorebirds and seabirds) passing through Malaysia, stopping at unascertained spots on their 12,000km journey from and to lands in the northern hemisphere, where they breed.