The threat posed by Avian flu may be rising, if the Financial Times is any guide. Today its UK edition led the front page with the story European farmers act to halt spread of bird flu:
European farmers on Monday began taking action to prevent the spread of a deadly strain of bird flu from Asia, amid fears it could devastate the poultry sector and infect humans.
Dutch farmers were ordered to bring all 5.5m free-range poultry indoors and the German government said it might take similar action within days. The moves came amid renewed calls for an international effort to contain the disease as concern grew that it could be spread by wild birds migrating from Siberia.
...Veterinary experts from the 25 European Union member states meet on Thursday to discuss what further action, if any, should be taken. The European Commission said yesterday it saw no need at the moment for other European countries to follow the Dutch lead. The EU has already banned live poultry and feather imports from Russia and Kazakhstan. "Our assessment of the risk is that it is relatively low but not non-existent,” said a spokesman.
Today's FT also features several other stories on the topic, including news that EU nations are split on response to threat of bird flu.
For readers wanting to keep up to date on this subject, visit the excellent Avian flu weblog, maintained by Silviu Dochia and Tyler Cowen.
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