Bird flu's already hit the uk. A swan was found dead in Fife, and later confirmed to carry the strain H151 which IS a risk to humans. The government have set up a containment area around the scene in which no birds are allowed to be moved and all are being prepared to move indoors.
Am I worried? LOL food poisoning worries me, I'm petrefied. But do I think I should be? No. The way I look at it, it's only killed just over 100 people throughout the world so far. It's covered most of asia and europe hasn't it? How many millions of people live there, and it's only just killed over 100! Some of these areas of europe and asia are extremely poor, with citizens sharing their living areas with their free range birds, whereas barely any UK citizens are in these circumstances. The virus cannot be contracted from eating properly cooked poultry, the only risk to us is from close contact with infected birds and their faeces and other fluids. Not a very large percentage of us live like this anyway! And as for pidgeons in city centres... maybe it's just where I live, or me, but aren't there much much less pidgeons than there used to be? I used to see loads when I went to town, but yesterday when I went out I didn't even see five! I personally think there's some sort of wild bird culling scheme going on, it's spring, and there are barely any out there! I think they should have been culling wild pidgeons years ago.
What foxes me is.. if it's borne on the birds flying north for the summer, why did Scotland get it first? Shouldn't it have hit the southern coastlines first? In which case... is it already here ..?
I can't find you the most relevant article on bird flu... but here's the most recent one, from the aol news, in which it details the government plans leaked in a letter..
Further details have emerged of government plans to deal with a human flu pandemic.
The chief medical officer has advised schools should be planning closures in case the bird flu virus mutates into a form that can be transferred from human to human.
There are also reports that off-duty firefighters and retired lorry drivers will be pressed into service to ensure deliveries of essential food supplies in the event of a pandemic.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that laws which restricted the daily hours of drivers and other vital workers would be suspended.
Cabinet papers reportedly show the unwillingness of many long-distance HGV drivers to go to infected areas is seen as a possible "pinch point" if avian flu takes hold.
The documents also show government concern over a lack of preparation among big food firms.
They apparently state: "HGV drivers had been identified as a potential pinch-point by some sectors.
"Various mitigation options were being discussed, including using retired drivers or off-duty fire service personnel, and lifting the requirements of the Working Time Directive."
The newspaper also says in the event of a serious outbreak overseas preventative medicine would be given to embassy and consular staff, but not British holidaymakers or ex-pats.
And the Government fears any pandemic could last more than six months.
The documents were drawn up before the dead swan that tested positive for the H5N1 strain was discovered in Scotland.
They say Whitehall should be on alert for a pandemic on an "extended time-scale - certainly for six months... and perhaps longer".
They also suggest "more than one pandemic wave" of bird flu.