News of the week - Bird flu
Germany is in turmoil at the moment, because of the increasing cases of bird flu (the H5N1 virus). Even CNN reports about it today, stating that in total, 103 cases of the disease have been detected in wild birds so far:
“A lab has confirmed the detection of more bird flu in Germany with the discovery of 22 new cases on the island of Ruegen, according to The Associated Press.
The report brings the country's total cases of the H5N1 virus found in wild birds to 103, AP said.
Troops and army veterinarians have been sent to Ruegen to help local authorities deal with the latest outbreak within the European Union.”
The first cases were found on the north sea island Ruegen. Everything is tried at the moment to avoid the virus from spreading. But so far, with little success. Complicating factor is migration of birds, which has already started again.
Preparations are being taken throughout German society, and the consequences are even noticable in my direct surroundings. One of my team co-workers is active in the fire department. He told me yesterday that in case the virus keeps spreading, they will have to start setting up the local organisation for dealing with the bird flu. In Germany, the fire department is responsible for local coordination of activities in cases of epidemics.
Will the recent global problems with animal diseases result in a change in the way we treat the animals we use for consumption? I sincerely hope so.
posted by Arnoud @ 2:24 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
This bird disease has had interesting global economic influences. As we saw meat become less popular with the carazy daisy mad cow disease we now see meat more popular because of the fear of infected chickens. Like the old Jing Jang, nature works in balance, unless there is a global all animal disease, the move to vegetables or vice versa will not be sped up. What were to happen if there was an epidemic of mad vegetable disease ?
Interesting question indeed. Perhaps vegetables in infected areas will be preventatively slaughtered. In Germany, there will be a "Stallpflicht" or obligation to keep all vegetables inside order, given out by the government.
More seriously, though, the question is not whether people will stop eating meat, but whether the recent focus on animal deseases will result in a spin-off discussion on animal treatment.
Did you mean weather there is a dicsussion on not on the vaccination or weather biological chicken eggs may be labelled as such while in reality, the biological chickens are also kept inside their chicken coops during high disease risk periods?
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