Discussion of Bird Flu and West
Nile Virus at the same time needs some clarification. In a recent
conversation, a medical friend made the error of confusing the
two. So, FYI, for anyone who might think they are related, the
two are not related.
WNV - as most horse people know
is a virus that attacks the nervous system. It is spread from birds to
other animals by a vector, the mosquito.
Bird Flu is also a virus but it
is respiratory in nature and is spread by "droplet". In other words
the moisture drops from the respiratory system that spray into the air during
coughing/sneezing. Equines & humans can acquire Bird
Flu.
Anyone who wants to know more
about any communicable disease from the most reliable US source should go to www.cdc.org . The Center for
Disease Control web site is extremely informative.
Not an expert on Bird Flu - just
happened to attend a seminar last week.
