Avian flu found in parrot in UK

**ShadesWolf** · 10-21-2005, 21:06

A parrot that died in quarantine in the UK has tested positive for avian flu, the government has said.
The Department for the Environment, Fisheries and Food (Defra) has not said if it is the lethal strain H5N1.

It is the first case of avian flu in Britain - it has been found in Romania, Turkey and Greece after apparently being carried from Asia by wild birds.

Scientists say the disease does not appear able to spread between humans, but there are fears it could mutate.

So it begins

**The_Doctor** · 10-21-2005, 21:07

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4365956.stm

Well it was going to happen sooner or later.

At lest it was a parrot, so I can post this:
http://www.davidpbrown.co.uk/jokes/m...on-parrot.html

**solypsist** · 10-21-2005, 21:14

nm.

**The_Doctor** · 10-21-2005, 21:10

I just posted a thread like this, only it was funnier.

Ok, that one was closed for obvious reasons.

So here is link to lighten the mood:
http://www.davidpbrown.co.uk/jokes/m...on-parrot.html

If you need your mood lightening any more watch Have I Got News For You at 9:30.

**lancelot** · 10-21-2005, 21:16

Oh great- bird flu...

At least the parrot was in quarantine.

**ShadesWolf** · 10-21-2005, 21:20

Originally Posted by lancelot

Oh great- bird flu...

At least the parrot was in quarantine.

Yes lucky thing we have quarantine

**Redleg** · 10-21-2005, 21:28

Do you have mesquito's in the UK?

Isn't this another one that is transmitted by mesquito's? Kind of like the West Nile.

**Adrian II** · 10-21-2005, 21:38

Originally Posted by Redleg

Do you have mesquito's in the UK?

Isn't this another one that is transmitted by mesquito's? Kind of like the West Nile.

Nah, birds and humans get the disease through contact with live infected birds, for instance by eating them. The infected birds also excrete the virus, which can be inhaled after the faeces has dried and pulverised.