Alaska to test migrating birds for avian flu

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Mar 18 (Reuters) Alaska and federal officials plan to ramp up testing of migratory birds for the deadly avian flu virus in the state, considered the likely North American entry point for the H5N1 strain.

The U S Fish and Wildlife Service, along with state agencies, plan to test 16,000 migratory and hunted birds from across Alaska in the spring and fall, officials told Reuters yesterday. An earlier estimate called for testing 13,000 birds.

After capturing the live birds in nets or other devices, officials swab the birds to pick up feces samples. Further details of the testing programme are scheduled to be released on Monday by Fish and Wildlife Service officials.

In the next few weeks, Alaska will start to see the first of millions of migratory birds that stop and nest in the state after traveling from Asia to North America. ''We just have to be prepared for all possibilities,'' said Richard Mandsager, director of Alaska's Division of Public Health.

The H5N1 influenza virus has spread rapidly west since it re-emerged in China and South Korea in 2003. Four Asian nations and Denmark became the latest countries affected, but experts agree it will inevitably spread to birds across the globe.

It has not yet been detected in North America. Biologists tested thousands of wild birds in Alaska last year and found no sign of the deadly virus.

The Steller's eider, lesser snow goose, lesser sandhill crane, eastern yellow wagtail and Arctic warbler are among 26 species on a list of birds considered important to test, due in part to the amount of time spent near viral hot spots in Asia.

Although avian-to-human transmission is rare, people can contract bird flu after coming into contact with infected birds. The World Health Organisation says at least 98 people are known to have died so far from the H5N1 strain.

Alaskan health authorities recommend hunters wear gloves and refrain from eating, drinking or smoking when handling birds. And hunters should avoid harvesting birds that appear sick and stay clear of birds that are already dead.

Government agencies have also asked Alaskan residents to be on the lookout for any unusual bird die-offs.

The rapid spread of the virus across Europe, Africa and parts of Asia has stoked fears it could mutate into a form capable of human-to-human transmission, triggering a pandemic in which millions could die.

REUTERS CS VC0930