Chickens, bird flu, grandparents and ds.

[PanicPants]

Since the new outbreak of birdflu, I haven't let ds go to my mum and dads, as they have free range chickens. Mum and Dad have ds once a week for me while I am at work.

It seems to have quietened down a bit this week. s

So, should I send him? Am I being too paronoid? Or sensible?

You mean you wouldn't send him?

I was really hoping everyone would say I was being paronoid

i'd send him!

unless he actually comes into contact with the chickens

(i think you are being overcautious, if not paranoid)

Mum said she shut the chickens in, but mum and dad have constant contack, and bring food bowls etc into the house

she'd

Cor, blimey, of course I'd send him, would have done for the last 6 weeks, wouldn't think twice about it.

pmsl - I think you are paranoid (but then we are all entitled to be paranoid at times )

my children are in charge of feeding our chicken and collecting the eggs - it wouldn't even cross my mind to worry about them catching bird flu.

Bird flu doesn't just affect chickens! It can also be carried by wild birds. Do you keep him indoors all the time then in case he comes across a sparrow with it?! The cases of bird flu being transmitted to humans have been where the chickens have either actually been living inside the house, or from poultry worker in sheds where they're inhaling dirt etc. Collecting bowls does not count as close contact IMO.

Daisymoo is right. Have a look at advice re bird flu. It's a bit long but it does explain the situation quite clearly.

Let ds see his granparents!

I think you are being a tad over cautious. But I keep free-range chickens so maybe I'm biased. My dcs look after our chickens and collect eggs on a daily basis.

You really have to be in very, very close contact to catch it. Are you in one of the zones that had it recently? Is that why you are worried?

No not in the zones.

Wish all of you had posted first since I've just rang my Mum to say I'd leave it for another week.

Feel so heartbroken to avoid Mum and Dads

Will leave it for this week, and then start sending him again from next week.