Experts: Migration of deadly avian flu unstoppable

Health officials say it is impossible to stop the spread of the deadliest bird flu strain, H5N1, via migratory birds, and are now trying to minimise its impact on domestic poultry and humans, a challenge that will become more difficult as the birds move south.

Migratory birds that are believed to have brought H5N1 to Turkey are now leaving and will fly across the Middle East and into Africa, crossing some of the world’s least developed countries, where outbreaks are likely to be poorly reported and where close contact between humans and animals will drastically increase the chances of a lethal mutation, experts believe.

Outbreaks in the Middle East and Asia could occur as early as November, and the threat is a constant one because the migratory patterns of different species of birds vary, and because the birds will fly back north toward Europe in the spring.

“The best situation is to avoid contact between poultry and wild animals, but it is not always possible” said Jean-Luc Angot of the World Organisation for Animal Health, or OIE.