- Hello, Jeff - I assuming that the reason for removing
bird feeders is to protect humans (who clean and refill bird feeders) from
contracting salmonellosis. I also assume that removing bird feeders will
prevent birds (infected and noninfected) from congregating around the feeders.
-
- Patricia Doyle
-
- From ProMED-mail
- Source: CBS
-
- Northern California residents are being asked to remove
bird feeders from their property for at least a month to help slow an outbreak
of an avian disease, the California Department of Fish and Game announced
today [13 Feb 2005].
-
- Scientists hope the measure will control the spread of
salmonellosis, a disease affecting birds known as pine siskins, which primarily
live in wooded areas from Grass Valley to Eureka, state Wildlife Veterinarian
Pam Swift reported. Swift warns that communities in the Bay Area also are
affected by the outbreak.
-
- Pine siskins are small, brown, streaked birds with yellow
patches on the wings and tail, according to Swift. They are commonly seen
at feeders and birdbaths.
-
- The California West Nile virus hotline has received numerous
calls from concerned residents reporting dead pine siskins in forested
areas throughout the northern portion of the state. Salmonellosis is a
bacterial disease that is not related to West Nile virus.
-
- The disease could also affect humans, and residents are
warned to use caution around birdfeeders and birdbaths, according to Swift.
-
- After the moratorium on bird feeding is lifted, the department
suggests that residents replace all food in birdfeeders and water in birdbaths
daily; decontaminate all feeders by using a 10 percent solution of household
bleach in water; spread small amounts of seed over a large area in the
sun to avoid encouraging a concentration of birds at one site; replace
wooden bird feeders with plastic or metal that don't harbor the bacteria
and can be sterilized easily; and use gloves and anti-bacterial soap when
handling dead birds and bird feeders.
-
- http://www2.cbs5.com/localwire/l
-
- ProMED-mail
- promed@promedmail.org
-
- People should be especially careful to wear gloves and
wash their hands after cleaning the feeders. Salmonella is most often ingested
through contaminated food products, but may be transmitted through unsanitary
hand contact with the face.
-
- Salmonella is most often associated with gastrointestinal
upset and diarrhea in people. - Mod.TG ...................
-
- tg/msp/lm
-
- Patricia A. Doyle, PhD
- Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message
board at: http://www.clickitnews.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?
Cat=&Board=emergingdiseases
- Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa
- Go with God and in Good Health
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