Childminders Club: Feeding the Duck / Bird Flu..........

[looneytune]

Some time ago it was suggested that maybe I shouldn't take children to feed the ducks for a while because of the bird flu thing. I decided to be on the safe side so parents didn't worry so I told everyone (and it's on my website) that I wouldn't be feeding the ducks until further notice.

I'm getting really fed up with going to country parks etc and there being duck ponds and having to tell the kids that we can't feed them.

Do I really need to stay away? Do the rest of you or do you continue as normal?

I'm hoping that everyone else still does things as normal!!

Tell me what you do please :)

There was a feature on TV about this a few days ago and they said that you can feed the ducks etc as normal. If you are still unsure try to avoid areas where there is any poo (as this is how it is passed on) and you will be ok.

And dont blow up any ducks bottoms as it can be passed this way!!

Ps i dont know anyone that would like to do it anyway.

Actually - we haven't got bird flu in the UK so it is absolutely fine !

I thought bird flu was here?

OK - A flock of chickens in Norfolk have been diagnosed as having bird 'flu - but it is NOT the pathogenic variety which can pass to humans. It is quite simply a BIRD DISEASE. They are being slaughtered to protect the poultry industry.

The bird flu that you are worried about is H5N1 - and we do not have that in the UK at present. It is that strain that can pass to humans IF they are in very close contact with infected birds (ie. playing with heads of dead birds, handling poo etc).

The strain that has been found in Norfolk is just a bird disease.

thanks for that, bit clearer now.

"The bird flu that you are worried about is H5N1 - and we do not have that in the UK at present"

Um... wasn't this the one that was up in Scotlad around Easter?

thats what i thought

But I don't think you have to worry abuot feeding the ducks.

Yes the bird in Scotland did die of H5N1 but it was not an indigenous bird. It is believed that the swan (A Whooper) died at sea and was merely washed up dead on our shores.

So - NO we do not have H5N1 !

Can't say too much - but I do know about these things - it is my job !

Is a whooper a type of bird or was it a big bird?

Have visions of a burger landing on the beach.

PMSL

So no more dissecting pigeons for my minded children then, they'll be soooo upset.

I thought i would share what has been sent by my locl sure start and local networker coordinators and writers about the bird flu.

It says' you may wish to consider risk assessments of visits to park or other sites where birds may be present. This might include in discussio with proprietors where appropriate decisions on whether to view birds from behind screen or fences and not to handle birds.

Gosh you are all making me wonder now. I had taken the view that there was only one bird in Scotland and as nothing else had been reported it would be fine to continue feeding the ducks As the country park I go to involves us standing on the edge of the bank and throwing as hard as we can to get to the ducks. They don't usually come out of the water.
What do you think?
Also what is it about the poo thing. Does that mean if they fly over the field between the 2 lakes then the field we stand in could be contaminated?

I dont think the field would be contaiminated but you have to avoid all poo, no holding/stroking of birds, even i think watching them from what i can gather by the letter as well,dead ducks/birds and really amke sure you wash all your hands etc if you do continue to go and be really careful.

As soon as birdflu came i stopped visiting the ducks/local parklands/ zoos because it wouldnt be long for it to get here and now it is.

They arent telling us to aviod it because we have to make up our minds. I wont be feeding the ducks till all this is over.