Canadian pigeons raise bird flu alarm in Australia

An import of Canadian racing pigeons raised the threat of bird flu last week in Australia when the virus was discovered after testing a consignment of over 100 pigeons at a Melbourne quarantine station.

While initially three birds tested positive for the antibodies results later showed it was not the deadly H5N1 strain currently sweeping through Asia and Europe.

According to Dr Ian Barr of of the World Health Organisation, the tests are still under scrutiny.

He says that it is probably too early to say whether there's any risk of infection.

In an attempt to control the avian flu threat, Australia has now banned live bird imports from Canada.

However, despite the country's firm stance on avian imports, there is still the uncontrolled threat of wild, migratory birds.

In New Zealand biosecurity officials have been testing specimens from four varieties of migratory birds that have recently arrived from arctic Russia.

Testing methods have involved injecting the swabbed samples from the birds into fertile hens eggs which are then harvested and examined for bird flu pathogens.

They have not as yet found any of the virus presently causing so much concern in Asia and Europe.

At a meeting of the 21 countries belonging to Asia Pacific grouping, APEC, in Australia, pandemic and disaster specialists will discuss the continuing threat of bird flu.

Since the H5-N1 strain of bird flu re-emerged in 2003 it has killed more than 60 people in Asia.

The gathering is expected to tackle issues such as border closures, antiviral drugs and how to maintain essential services during a bird flu outbreak.