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Topic: Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝染 H5N1的看法 (Read 1823 times) |
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Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝染 H5N1的看法
« on: Jan 20th, 2006, 1:50pm » |
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Opinion on the occurrence of H5N1 avian flu virus in Magpie Robin
HF Cheung
20 Jan 2006
A. Comments
1. This is an incidence that is long expected, since the virus has been found in dead wild birds many times in Hong Kong before. For example, in the 2004-05 winter, there were three incidences of three dead wild birds (2 Grey heron and 1 Chinese Pond-heron) carrying the virus.
2. This signals that Hong Kong has entered a higher level of alert. In some way that is very good news, since we have a chance of raising our alert. It provides a valuable clue for us to do something to stop the virus before it can inflict real damages. At present, there is no point to be panic. The threat to Hong Kong is still at a very low level. The danger is not from the dead bird itself. The real thing to do is to local the source of the virus, if there is any in Hong Kong.
3. As with other years, the finding of the virus in Hong Kong does not coincide with the arrival of migratory birds. One may therefore speculate on how big is the role of migratory birds in transmitting the virus.
B. Proposed Actions
4. The first suspect of the source of the virus is from poultry farm. Also, it is important to stop the virus to spread to the poultry farms. I have heard that AFCD have done some checking of the poultry farms in Hong Kong, especially near the Tai Po where the dead Magpie Robin was found. This is in the right direction, but I hope that there should be a thorough check not only on the operation of the farm, but an active effort should be done to look for possible source of the virus. I propose that AFCD should check all the poultry farms (poultry and their food-water supply) for the virus. There should be no overlook of any presence of the virus in poultry farms.
5. Oriental Magpie Robin is a popular cage bird in on the bird market. The possibility that this bird is from the bird market cannot be ruled out. I propose that AFCD should conduct a similar checked of the virus in the bird market.
6. One possible source of the virus is from release of sick birds. As we have always said, release of bird by traders or for religious purpose should be closely monitored. Although I am not aware of present mode of monitoring, I proposed that every time there is a release of birds by traders or for religious purpose, the activities should be pre-approved.
7. Pigeon racing has become much more popular in recent years in Hong Kong. Studies on Pigeons have reviewed that they can carry the virus with getting sick. Although the chance of a race pigeon transmitting the virus is small, I would still propose to keep a higher level of watch on race Pigeons. There should be a scheme to check every race pigeon for the virus periodically.
8. Don’t panic;It would be wrong to starting killing, catching or chasing after the Oriental Magpie Robin or other wild birds. Getting the wild birds tired and hungry lower their defense system. That may need to an extensive outbreak of the virus among wild birds, which in the end would help to spread the disease.
C. Information on Oriental Magpie Robin
9. Oriental Magpie Robin is a very common bird in Hong Kong. It prefers lowland areas with bush and grassland. They are common near rural villages and urban parks. A survey of all winter birds in Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Bird Watching Society found more than 2000 Oriental Magpie Robin in Hong Kong. Their distribution is shown in the following map.
Note: Maximum number of Magpie Robin is 22 per each square.
Deep blue- 12 - 22; Intermediate blue - 6 - 11; Light blue - 1 - 5; White - no distribution
10. Oriental Magpie Robin is a very popular cage bird in Hong Kong. I have no figures of the amount of trade in Hong Kong. May be AFCD has that figure.
11. This species has a sweet and vary song. During the breeding season, each pair of Oriental Magpie Robin uses a different song to identify themselves to their neighbors. This species excels is in mimic the calls and songs other species. Overall this is a very smart and clever species in Hong Kong.
A male Magpie Robin - Photo by Henry Lui
A female Magpie Robin - Photo by Henry Lui
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| « Last Edit: Jan 20th, 2006, 10:29pm by Webcreeper » |
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gjcarey
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Re: Comment to H5N1 found in Magpie Robin
« Reply #1 on: Jan 20th, 2006, 4:27pm » |
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Magpie Robin is a typical village and village-edge species that I have often seen feeding in or near back yards and gardens that contain poultry, or near small poultry farms in the New Territories. It would appear more likely that the source of this bird's infection is this association or, as Ho Fai suggests, its possible cage-bird origins than any direct influence from wild birds.
For AFCD to immediately suggest migratory birds ignores the important transmission mechanisms of poultry and cage birds. As Ho Fai suggests, let's hope that testing of all poultry in the area is being carried out.
Geoff
鵲鴝是一種常在鄉村和鄉村邊沿活動的雀鳥，無論是新界民居的後園、有家禽的花園和小型家禽養殖場，我都可以見到牠們在覓食。由此看來，死去的鵲鴝染病的途徑很可能和這些場地有關，或者如浩輝所說，死鳥可能曾經是隻籠鳥。以上兩種可能，似乎都比病毒直接來自野鳥的機會要高。
漁護署馬上將病毒來源指向候鳥，沒有考慮到家禽和籠鳥都可能是重要的病毒來源 。就如浩輝所說，希望當局會檢驗當地的家禽。
賈知行
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| « Last Edit: Jan 21st, 2006, 6:21am by Webcreeper » |
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Webcreeper
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Re: Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝�
« Reply #2 on: Jan 21st, 2006, 12:07am » |
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對有鵲鴝帶 H5N1禽流感病毒的看法
張浩輝 2006年1月20日
A. 評論
1. 這是我們早已預料到的事件──本港曾多次在死去的野鳥身上驗出禽流感病毒，20 04/05冬季便有3次(兩隻蒼鷺和一隻池鷺)。
2. 這發現標示禽流感對本港的威脅已經升級，從某種角度來看這是好消息，因為大家 會因此提高警覺，採取預防措施，防患未然。由於禽流感對本港的威脅仍然頗低， 大家毌須恐慌，死鳥並不會帶來危險。最重要的是找出本港病毒的源頭，如果有的 話。
3. 就如過去幾年一樣，病毒出現和候鳥抵港的時間並不吻合，因此很難估計候鳥對禽 流感的散播起著多大作用。
B. 建議
4. 病毒的源頭以家禽養殖場的嫌疑最大，同時，我們也要防止病毒擴散到這些地方。 據悉漁護署已經到本港的一些禽鳥養殖場巡視，尤其是發現死去鵲鴝的大埔一帶。 這是正確的做法，但是我希望當局除了全面檢查養殖場的運作之外，還會主動找出 病毒的可能來源。我建議漁護署應該檢驗養殖場的禽鳥和餵飼用的水源，以確定有 沒有病毒，所有養殖場都不容放過。
5. 鵲鴝是常見的籠鳥，死去的鵲鴝可能來自寵物店，因此我建議漁護署對雀鳥市場進 行同類的檢驗。
6. 病毒也可能來自放生的病鳥。我們一直認為要緊密監察鳥販或教徒的放生活動，雖 然我並不清楚目前有些甚麼監察措施，我建議如果鳥販或教徒要放生雀鳥，每次都 要取得有關當局的批准才可以進行。
7. 賽鴿活動在近年已經開始流行起來，研究發現鴿子可以帶著禽流感病毒而不發病， 雖然賽鴿傳播禽流感的機會不大，但是我仍然建議要加強這方面的監察，定期檢驗 每一隻賽鴿。
8. 不必恐慌。不應殺死或者捕捉鵲鴝和其他野鳥，疲倦和飢餓會減低野鳥的免疫能力 ，可能引致禽流感在野鳥間大規模爆發，因而助長病毒的傳播。
C. 關於鵲鴝的資料
9. 鵲鴝是本港常見的雀鳥，喜歡在有灌木和草叢的低地活動，在鄉村和市區公園內都 很容易見到。香港觀鳥會做的冬季鳥類普查發現本港有二千隻以上，分佈如下圖：
註：每小格面積為1平方公里，鵲鴝分佈密度最高為每平方公里22隻。
深藍色：12-22隻；中度藍色：6-11隻；淺藍色：1-5隻；白色：沒有發現。
10. 鵲鴝是本港非常受歡迎的籠鳥，我沒有賣買的統計數字，也許漁護署會有。
11. 鵲鴝的歌聲悅耳多變，在繁殖期間，每對鵲鴝都有獨特的歌聲，和鄰近的其他鵲鴝 不同，作為識別。鵲鴝又善於模仿其他鳥種的叫聲，是香港一種很聰明的雀鳥。
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Fred
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Re: Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝�
« Reply #3 on: Jan 24th, 2006, 12:36am » |
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Is there any regular or established mechanism to publicize this kind of opinions for example through the press or other mass media? I would think that is important to maintaining at least a balanced view of the issue, in addition to educating the public at large. 
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Webcreeper
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Re: Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝? size=
« Reply #4 on: Jan 24th, 2006, 12:52pm » |
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Hi Kumanfai,
Thanks for the suggestion!
The HKBWS office has good contacts with the press, who often approach the Society for views regarding issues related to birds. In return the Society would contact them when we have information of significant news value to contribute.
In addition, this BBS is also an important forum to air our views - points made here will be noted by various parties. 
Regards,
Webcreeper
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| « Last Edit: Jan 24th, 2006, 1:22pm by Webcreeper » |
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Bob Thompson
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Re: Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝�
« Reply #5 on: Jan 24th, 2006, 2:26pm » |
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It would be interesting to find out from the gene sequence of the Magpie Robin, if it was the same as the Qinghai Lake birds or those in Vietnam/Indonesia.
Apparently there is a difference in the 2 sequences
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martin
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Re: Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝�
« Reply #6 on: Jan 25th, 2006, 8:51am » |
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I wonder if it was being kept for fighting, and tossed out when sickened and died.
Slight evidence: in SCM Post, a cleaner sweeping streets in same village said (she) had seen three or four other dead birds lately, looking the same. Magpie robins territorial, so I'd figure it odd to find a few dead ones in same area, esp without other dead birds.
Yes, farms need closer look.
Vaccination and surveillance need massive, sustained effort to ensure poultry is H5N1 free. Minor slip in Guangdong - esp with the virus rife in much of China - could lead to problems.
What of condition of the robin: plumage, bare parts, suggesting captive or wild? Just seen that a reference suggests there are 15 sub-species of magpie robin; would it be possible to tell if it's from elsewhere?
[Tho other thread on this includes: "A bird dealer at Bird Garden said the dead Magpie Robin did not belong to the bigger and sweeter-singer birds that are imported from Malaysia." and suggestion re examining stomach contents.]
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martin
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Re: Comments: H5N1 found in Magpie Robin 對於鵲鴝�
« Reply #7 on: Feb 10th, 2006, 4:52pm » |
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Email just in from AFCD:
Quote:| According to the information from our Veterinary Officers, the concerned Magpie Robin is probably a wild bird as the features of captive/cage birds mentioned in your e-mail below could not be found. In addition, they examined the stomach of the bird and found that it was empty. |
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[my email:
Have they been examined for signs they may have been captive birds:
feather wear, damage to bills, feet etc; even examination of stomach
contents?
- and are there other indicators of whether they were likely local wild
birds, or of captive origin? (any differences between our birds, and
those that are imported) ]
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