Dying Swan Dance

As a threat, bird flu elicits different reactions. When a German cat died from the flu, panic spread throughout Europe until scientists explained that a cat spreading the virus to humans was an unlikely scenario. Russians have also been wary about the flu, despite periodic government reassurances, with some conspiracy theorists describing the virus as a “leak from a bioweapons factory” or a public-relations plot by US poultry producers to drive their competitors from the market. Whatever the cause behind bird flu, the government has declared “open season” on wild migrating fowl, particularly those near residential property and domestic bird populations. Wildlife and health officials caution that the “kill on sight” method, scattering and wounding birds, can lead to more human-bird contacts and infections. The potential of bird flu to decimate human populations remains unknown, though some warn that it could be as dangerous as the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-1919, which killed tens of millions worldwide. To Russia’s credit, the need for action is compelling, but eliminating wild birds is unrealistic. In terms of developing an effective response, more target practice is needed. – YaleGlobal