Jiglu: Farmtalking: Discussion: RE: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus

Originally from: Farmtalking

Hello Pat!

I can understand your feelings as your personal experiences of the SVS were terrible but at the same time, any service including the SVS, is only as good as the individual people who provide it!

As we know from our experiences during the FMD crisis, the SVS had not only been hugely reduced in numbers but extremely underfunded and the vets serving in it, poorly trained. Thus they lacked up to date knowledge of the disease itself, its diagnosis and the availabilty of prevention with an extremely efficacious vaccine.

The SVS needs to be properly funded, provide the best possible training, including regular 'refresher' courses, and attract the very best scientific advice.

At present it seems as though the Govt almost considers the SVS superfluous to requirements, believing themselves capable of making decisions without appointing real experts or consulting them.

We have to remember that our Govt didn't turn to the SVS when FMD struck but to a highly dubious scientist and his 'modelling team'.

Information and advice offered by world experts in the disease, its control and prevention were ignored.

The SVS being a weak and impoverished Govt organization, simply did as they were told and any vets brave enough to query intructions were soon given the boot.

Rather than hold the demanded Open Public Inquiry the Govt instigated several of its own and has so far failed to adopt their recommendations.

It's seems they pefer to use a 'sledgehammer to crack a nut' in every resect.

To slaughter animals, birds or people on a vast scale is certainly guaranteed to attract attention and instill fear. If the population is afraid they're unlikely to risk their livlihood or lives by 'rocking the boat'.

We are witnessing this on a world-wide scale. Civil liberties are being reduced as new laws are introduced to curb the people in many ways. For how long this ghastly situation will continue we simply don't know.

However, I'm convinced that we have to continue to promote what we believe to be fair and just for all of us, including the animals and birds. That means using a vaccine or treatment to prevent or cure disease and funding scientific research in a manner that does not depend on commercial interests and pushing for a properly funded and trained SVS.

Which reminds me that many years ago a friend told me I was 'seeking utopia' but as that was an impossibility I, and others like me, were wasting their time!

He may be right but I'm equally certain and pretty sure you agree with me that 'he who gives up never wins'!

Jane

Author wrote:
The thought of the State Veterinary Service having anything to do with Avian Flu
fills my heart with absolute horror. See the bad news on http://www.warmwell.com/ today.
Never mind the chickens, the State Veterinary Service will kill somebody in
the end. The thought of them being even remotely involved in human health is
terrifying.
I would infinitely prefer that the EU take complete charge, much as I detest
the EU, they can't be any worse than the SVS.
Pat Gardiner
News of my personal battle to get the SVS stood down and investigated is on http://www.go-self-sufficient.com/ It is a long depressing story.
Author wrote:
The following from Mike Meredith –
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus HPAI H7N7 Epidemic 2003
1. Spread in The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
May 16th 2003 – Control Problems in The Netherlands
Pet birds:
There has been some strong opposition by some private owners of avian species.
Some are reported to have hidden their birds in their bathrooms, or transported them to safety outside of compulsory slaughter zones.
This morning a NL radio program interviewed a lady whose house was forcibly entered and raided by policemen and Ministry of Agriculture officials, who proceeded to confiscate their 3 pet chickens that had been hidden in the bathroom.
Migrant workers:
Temporary staff from other countries have been working as clearing teams for poultry farms. Some are alleged to be asylum-seekers working with special permission from the authorities in return for "pocket money". There are reported to be some language problems and lack of familiarity with hygiene standards that may hamper disease control efforts.
May 16th 2003 – New suspected outbreak in Germany
A new suspected outbreak of high pathogenicitiy avian influenza (AI) in Kleve in the NorthWest of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), close to the Dutch border. The poultry flock is very small – only a few hundred birds.
The origin of the virus infection is suspected to be via contact with another farm.
The EU has extended the ban on poultry exports (birds, hatching eggs and fresh unprocessed poultry manure) from NRW for another month. NRW has been given permission to vaccinate zoo birds.
The import ban on live poultry from Germany to the Netherlands is causing economic and livestock welfare (overcrowding) distress for many broiler-producers in Germany who normally send chickens to Dutch slaughterhouses.
May 15th 2003 – European Union epidemic update + Vaccination policy: Promed
Germany – HPAI H7N7 flu virus confirmed: May 13th 2003
May 12th 2003 – EU Influenza Virus Epidemic Update
Germany:
84.000 birds now preventatively destroyed. Minister Bärbel Höhn, from the state NordRhein Westfalen is requesting EU permission for vaccination of zoo animals. No new suspected cases have been found so far.
Belgium:
2,77 million birds have now been destroyed on 118 farms. Still only 8 outbreaks, affecting two regions in the country.
Agence France Presse report that Pascal Houbaert, spokesman for the AFSCA food safety agency, said on May 11th that Belgian authorities preventatively killed tens of thousands of poultry over the weekend after authorities identified ten farms which may have been infected from Germany. The suspect Belgian farms include four in the French-speaking Wallonia region in the south of Belgium – previous cases were in the North of Belgium.
Netherlands: (Situation on May 9th)
26 million animals (mostly birds) destroyed in total so far. 11 suspected new cases (the number is gradually declining). 250 confirmed cases so far.
To prevent the virus coming back into The Netherlands from Germany, imports of live poultry from Germany to The Netherlands are nowprohibited.
As a result of the complete stand-still during the first 3 weeks of the outbreak in The Netherlands, from now on there are no broilers available from slaughtering and there will be hardly any fresh poultry meat coming onto the Dutch market.
One of the biggest Dutch poultry processors (Storteboom-group) is reported to be in financial difficulties and has ceased all activities until further instructions. (Source: PDIC correspondent)
May 9th 2003 – Suspected case of new influenza virus infection in Germany
A very serious suspected case of AI has been found on a farm in Schwalmtal, Viersen region, in the German state of NordRhein Westfalen (NRW), close to the border with The Netherlands. The first investigations of the veterinary authorities lead to a fear that AI is now also in Germany. An initial test has confirmed the clinical symptoms. Official confirmation will follow in 7 days. The farm is reported to have 32,000 broiler chickens, all of which will be destroyed.
A complete standstill for 72 hours for all poultry, breeding eggs and manure in NRW has been ordered. This movement ban does not affect poultry products.
Near the affected poultry unit are seven other farms (mainly smaller) which will be preventatively slaughtered. Initially, all poultry in a 1 km zone (0.6 miles) around the suspect case will be destroyed and this may be extended to 3km. (Source: PDIC correspondent)
HPAI H7N7 epidemic – more outbreaks confirmed (May 9th): Netherlands Belgium
May 7th – Update on avian influenza in the Netherlands and Belgium
The Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health yesterday discussed again the avian influenza situation in the Netherlands and Belgium. Since the beginning of the outbreak in the Netherlands on 28 February, 250 infected holdings have been confirmed and another 10 are seriously suspected to be contaminated. In total, approximately 25 million birds have been culled in the Netherlands. On 16 April the disease also spread to Belgium where to date 8 outbreaks have been confirmed. In total, about 2,3 million birds have been culled. The last outbreak in Belgium dates from 24 April. The Committee voted in favour of a European Commission proposal to extend until 16 May the existing measures to prevent the spreading of the disease and to eradicate it. No live poultry, hatching eggs and fresh, unprocessed poultry manure or litter may be exported to other Member States or third countries and, with some derogations, no live poultry and hatching eggs may be transported within the Netherlands or Belgium. The situation will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Committee on Thursday 15 May. (source: European Commission)