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Experts meet on bird flu threat Experts meet on bird flu threat
(about 2 hours later)
Scientists from around the globe will meet in Aviemore over the next two days to consider the latest ways of combating the threat of avian flu. Scientists from around the globe are meeting in Aviemore to consider the latest ways of combating the threat of avian flu.
The experts are being drawn together under the umbrella of the United Nations to review recent cases.The experts are being drawn together under the umbrella of the United Nations to review recent cases.
More than 100 people have died from the strain H5N1.More than 100 people have died from the strain H5N1.
Scientists have been astonished at the rate with which in the past two years it has spread to Western Europe from the Far East.Scientists have been astonished at the rate with which in the past two years it has spread to Western Europe from the Far East.
The 30 delegates represent countries in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Scottish Executive and Convention on Migratory Species opened the two-day meeting.
Professor Colin Galbraith, of SNH, said he believed Scotland could play a key role in the surveillance of migratory wild birds as part of wider monitoring of the spread of bird flu.
SUMMIT PROGRAMME On the agenda is a review of the situation in individual countries and recent outbreaksDelegates will discuss what information is needed to understand potential infection routes and how data gathered by ornithological organisations can helpA "brainstorming session" on the top 10 regional needs to aid preparation for further outbreaksThere is a session on how to handle the media when there is an incidentThe experts will investigate contingency planning for dealing with captive bird collections and zoosThe summit will finish with a visit to Insh Marshes, a large wetland near Kingussie
He said: "What the conference here in Aviemore is looking at is reviewing where bird flu is, how should we tackle any incident and to see if we can build a better surveillance system."
A dead wild swan found at Cellardyke in Fife last April is Scotland's only confirmed case of the H5N1 strain of avian flu - the same as hit the Bernard Matthews turkey plant in Suffolk earlier this year.A dead wild swan found at Cellardyke in Fife last April is Scotland's only confirmed case of the H5N1 strain of avian flu - the same as hit the Bernard Matthews turkey plant in Suffolk earlier this year.
The Cellardyke bird was identified as a whooper swan, not native to the UK.The Cellardyke bird was identified as a whooper swan, not native to the UK.
Restrictions lifted
Scientists were unsure whether it contracted the disease abroad or after it arrived in Britain.Scientists were unsure whether it contracted the disease abroad or after it arrived in Britain.
Restrictions imposed in the wake of the discovery of the swan were lifted more than two weeks later.Restrictions imposed in the wake of the discovery of the swan were lifted more than two weeks later.
The virus is highly contagious to birds.The virus is highly contagious to birds.
However, there are fear it will mutate into a virus that can jump from human to human and those tracking the disease have said tackling it remains one of the biggest international challenges. However, there are fears it will mutate into a virus that can jump from human to human and those tracking the disease have said tackling it remains one of the biggest international challenges.