BELGIUM: Planckendael Zoo in Mechelen begins vaccinating exotic birds in attempt to stop spread of bird flu

Record ID: 342990

  • Title: BELGIUM: Planckendael Zoo in Mechelen begins vaccinating exotic birds in attempt to stop spread of bird flu
  • Date: 22nd February 2006
  • Summary: VETERINARIAN DR. FRANCIS VERCAMMEN SHOWING BOTTLE OF BIRD FLU VACCINE ; CLOSE UP LABEL ON BOTTLE READING "INFLUENZA H5N2"
  • Embargoed: 9th March 2006 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Belgium
  • Country: Belgium
  • Topics: Nature / Environment,Health
  • Reuters ID: LVA64HMJN7NRCZMVB75TNJOW0IPC
  • Story Text: Belgian animal experts began vaccinating wild birds at a zoo outside of Brussels on Monday (February 20, 2006), as fears grew over the widening spread of bird flu across Europe.
    Veterinarians vaccinated about 90 birds in Planckendael Zoo, about 30 kilometres north of Brussels, and took blood samples from each of them.
    "Without blood analysis you cannot find out if the animals are going to be protected or not. So, a blood sample is taken from the animals and again after the second vaccination. Then, we will be able to find out in which proportion the animals have developed antibodies," said the zoo's chief veterinarian, Dr. Francis Vercammen.
    It was the latest step in a series of preventative measures that began about a month ago to stop the spread of the disease.
    Zoo officials have been co-ordinating with the government and other zoos to vaccinate wild and exotic birds living in the zoo including flamingos, pelicans and other water fowl which are not in closed pens.
    There is only one vaccination that exists at the moment and it is for the less-virulent H5N2 strain of the virus.
    The vaccine has been successfully tested and administered to domestic fowl and can only be administered under very strict conditions. Whatever is left of the vaccine must be returned to the government and Belgian bird experts have been given four days to vaccinate all of the wild and exotic birds in the country.
    They estimate a total of 90 birds will be vaccinated in Planckendael Zoo on Monday (February 20) and a total of about 300 exotic birds will be vaccinated by the end of Thursday (February 23).
    The Netherlands have already used the vaccine on their wild birds and France is currently asking for permission to vaccinate all birds.
    Authorities in Eygpt shut down eight zoos for weeks after 83 birds died there, some containing the deadly H5N1 strain.
    At least 11 countries have reported bird flu outbreaks over the past three weeks, an indication the deadly virus is spreading faster. The disease has so far infected 171 people worldwide and killed 93.
    So far, most victims of bird flu have had direct or indirect contact with chickens, but experts fear the virus might mutate into a strain easily passed among people, causing a pandemic in which millions could die.
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