Story Published:
Jun 13, 2006 at 4:08 PM PST
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 7:27 AM PST
OLYMPIA - Washington state biologists will begin
testing at least 2,500 wild birds next month as part of the
national effort to detect any cases of bird flu entering the United
States.
The Department of Fish and Wildlife says it will focus on
several species of migratory shorebirds and waterfowl that are most
likely to interact with Asian migratory birds in the Arctic.
The first priority will be testing wild birds that are found
dead, but live birds and fecal samples also will be tested.
The testing is designed to provide early detection of birds
carrying the H5N1 strain of bird flu. The virus has led to the
deaths or slaughter of millions of birds in Asia, Europe and Africa
and killed more than 128 people who had close contract with sick
birds. The bigger fear is that the virus could mutate into a form
that could pass easily from human to human.
So far, no wild birds in North America have tested positive for
the H5N1 strain.
The federal and state departments of Agriculture also are
involved in parallel testing programs in the state.