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Vol 10 No 6 Surprise visit by a Very Important Pelican Birds of Wetland Project II Art in the Wetlands Celebrate Nature A 'Sungei' Runs Through It HSBC/NYAA Youth Environmental Award 2005 Bird Flu: Frequently Asked Questions		Bird Flu Frequently Asked Questions Ng Sock Ling assistant director Lately, staff at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve has received a number of queries from people who are worried about catching avian influenza, or bird flu at the Reserve. Do you have questions about bird flu? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. Q: What is bird flu? A: Bird flu is a viral disease that affects poultry. It can also infect other birds, but poultry such as chickens and turkeys are the most susceptible. Of the several types of flu viruses that cause bird flu, the ‘Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza’ (HP AI) that affects poultry has caused the death of some species of wild birds, as well as the recent human outbreaks in Asian countries. Q: How do people get infected with bird flu? A: It is rare for people to get infected with bird flu. In the few instances where this has happened, the people had caught the virus through close contact with infected chickens. For example, you would need for the infected chicken to sneeze or cough directly in your face, before the virus can be transmitted to you. Q: Is it safe to visit Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve? A: Singapore is free from bird flu. At Sungei Buloh, you would not come into close contact with the wild birds, as visitors view the birds through binoculars and telescopes. Hence, it is safe to visit Sungei Buloh. Q: What if bird flu is detected in Singapore? What is being done at Sungei Buloh to monitor the bird flu situation? A: The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) and the National Parks Board (NParks ) have an on-going surveillance programme for bird flu in wild birds at Sungei Buloh. Cloacal swabs are taken from wild birds for testing. To date, no bird flu viruses have been detected. Should a bird flu case be found, officers from AVA and other relevant agencies will be mobilised immediately to control the situation. Q: What is good practice for visitors when visiting the Reserve? A: Visitors would not come into close contact with wild birds. However, should you chance upon any weakened or dead birds along the trails, do not touch the bird. Instead, report the location of the bird to Sungei Buloh staff, who will attend to the bird. Do practice good hygiene habits and thoroughly wash your hands with soap regularly. Q: Where can I find updated information on bird flu? A: For the latest updates, check out the Singapore Government Flu Website which also provides links to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites. It also has useful information on hotlines to call for any enquiries.
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