Well, now that the science is fairly exhausted
, the question remains - will this newest AI virus be effectively killed in soil receiving sustained heatwave temps which is the question that started this interesting dialog.
Any way we look at it those darn wildlife water fowl will keep transferring contagion every migratory season regardless of the number of viruses that might be eradicated in the soil.
That is true,,, however,, this is not the first outbreak of AI that has happened in the US and North America,,, it is the first time for H5N1 though,, but back in 2004 Texas had an outbreak of H5N2,, another highly pathonogetic strain. There was another that happened in New Jersey area around that same time of a different strain, I don't remember the type, an H7 I think,,, there was another that hit turkey farms back in the mid 70s,, or was it 80s? (i'm getting old and the ol memory box glitches sometimes) AI is not something new here, but this certainly has been one of the worst. I hesitate even to say worst because I don't currently have the statistical numbers of actual cases in past out breaks. However I do know that statisticly there were only 223 confirmed cases here in the US (sorry Canada,, i don't have your numbers),,, is that a high number? I don't know, I'm not an expert on pandemic diseases. Personally, I think that is a pretty small number considering that the 2009 H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak, cases numbered in the 10s of thousands. On the other hand, close to 50 million birds were killed because of it,, but many of those birds were killed outright as a "just in case" measure. I'm not 100% convinced that was the right thing to do, flocks that were housed in sepperate buildings could have been monitored, much like John's were, but instead entire farms were eradicated, but I suspect that would not have been as cost effective, for the farmers or the government. I would also point out that this outbreak hit primarily large poultry operations,, where large numbers of birds are confined in tight living conditions. The UDSA has maintained a site that is updated daily on this outbreak, it lists each and every case in every state that was affected and USED to even list whether it was a commercial operation or backyard flock. Well over 95% of them were commercial operations, not backyard owners. And there have been some avian vets that have said that our backyard girls may just be more resistant to this because of healthier living conditions.
Anyway, I'm digressing,, the thing is,, do we really want to blame the waterfowl and other migratory birds who can also carry this? I mean, they have been flying these routes for hundreds of years. Or should we instead be looking toward perhaps better management and treatment for the animals that are providing our food? I'll get off my soapbox now,, but it is something to think about.
John,, I wish you the best for you and your birds,, personally I don't think you would have had to even worry about if you kept the eggs, having seen the evidence that they were virus free,, but it was your choice.
For those who want to peak at the USDA site,,
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/porta.../sa_detections_by_states/ct_ai_pacific_flyway
