A Warning about Avian Flu

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt offers this warning to Americans: Avian flu, spreading rapidly around the world, may eventually infect wild birds and poultry flocks in the United States.

While stressing that he is not sure the virus ultimately will affect humans, Leavitt, speaking before a Congressional panel Wednesday, said “it's just a matter of time -- it may be very soon" when wild birds and possibly poultry flocks contract the disease.

The good news, however, is that the U.S. poultry industry has built-in fire walls: Infected poultry would be quickly slaughtered in the event of an outbreak, thereby reducing the risk of the virus’ spread to humans.

Posted by Jim Langcuster at March 1, 2006 08:28 PM | TrackBack