Commerce, not migratory birds, to blame for bird flu, researchers say

From Biology News Net:

Migratory birds: Innocent scapegoats for the dispersal of the H5N1 virus

A review to be published shortly in the British Ornithologists’ Union’s journal, Ibis, critically examines the arguments concerning the role of migratory birds in the global dispersal of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1.

Ecologists of the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat and of the GEMI-CNRS in the Camargue (France), Michel Gauthier-Clerc, Camille Lebarbenchon and Frédéric Thomas conclude that human commercial activities, particularly those associated with poultry, are the major factors that have determined its global dispersal.

The hothouse environment of Indonesia is ground zero for a potential bird flu pandemic. But a fight over ownership of flu genes is blocking the efforts to track deadly infections on the move: here.

“Bird Flu Will Remain A Threat As Long As Factory Farms Exist” Claims Author Of Ground-Breaking New Book On Public Health: here.