No birds infected with avian flu

BY BHARATHA Malawaraarachchi

THERE has so far been no detection of wild birds infected by Bird flu also known as Avian Flu, in Sri Lanka although health authorities warn that migratory birds could pose a threat of spreading the disease here.

"So far there is no indication that wild birds have been infected in Sri Lanka," Douglas Ranasinghe from the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka told the Daily News.

However, he stressed the necessity for conducting tests.

Health authorities said there are 15 strains of flu that affect birds, but the one causing the increasing global concern is the H5N1 subtype.

It has circulated among migrating wild birds for years and has spread to poultry flocks, starting in Southeast Asia, spreading to Russia and now reaching Turkey. It is highly lethal for domesticated birds.

"Between 300,000 - 400,000 migratory birds make their way to Sri Lanka annually through the western, eastern and far eastern routes." added Ranasinghe.

According to him migratory birds in their seasonal flow from one region to another in search of food, avoid bad whether conditions for survival.

"By November all birds have come to Sri Lanka. They commence arriving here during North-East monsoons from August to November. They leave Sri Lanka in April and May." Ranasinghe said most of the bird species coming to Sri Lanka are ducks, waders(shore birds) and passerines or small birds.

"It is important to be vigilant about migratory birds as they could infect the indigenous birds and in turn affect the local poultry farms, Dr. S.K.R. Amarasekera, Director General of Animal Production and Health Department stressed.

Dr. Amarasekara explained that the disease could enter Sri Lanka through three ways."One is importation of live birds, poultry products and by products, migratory birds and infected Mammals."

However, he said the department has imposed temporary restriction on importation of all poultry items and a complete ban on importation of pet birds.

Authorities have also completely banned the imports of pet birds and taken steps to increase quarantine surveillance. Measures have also been taken to implement the emergency preparedness plan.

According to the spokesman, the Health authorities have taken all possible steps to prevent the disease entering the country.