Bird flu tests in Durban

2005-10-24 11:30

Durban - A scientist has been given the task of collecting bird faeces from the city's harbour, and this then will be tested for signs of bird flu.

The World Health Organisation recently warned that millions of people around the world could die if the virus mutated and was spread from person to person.

Bird flu already has been detected in several countries around the world and Durban researcher David Allen of the Natural Science Museum said the faeces would be sent to the national veterinary laboratory at Onderstepoort for testing.

Allen said he would watch the migratory birds through a telescope, identify them, see where they left their droppings and then collect them."

Allen said: "Their droppings are very white in colour and easy to identify."

He started his assignment last Friday and, by the end of this week the droppings will be sent to Onderstepoort.

Birds could be infected

At least 500 migratory birds, mainly sandpiper and plover, fly to Durban from northern Asia every year and stay for the summer.

The Siberian area was one of the areas where bird flu was found.

Asked if the birds could carry the virus undetected, he said: "It seems conceivable that they'll be a bit ill from the flu if they're infected, but still be able to complete their migrations like humans who have flu and recover," he said.

He said Onderstepoort already had been in contact with people in Port Elizabeth and on the Cape West Coast to conduct tests on migratory birds in those areas.

- SAPA