Here is another dispatch from our continuing series, Notes from a Parallel Universe (parts I and II here and here). In this universe there is a confirmed H5N1 outbreak near Moscow.
In The Parallel Universe this is impossible:
MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - Experts from Rosptitsesoyuz, Russia's poultry producers association, say poultry farms in the Moscow region are immune to the bird flu virus."All poultry farms in the Moscow region, and in the rest of Russia, have been working under a tight closed regime since August 2005, which rules out the spread of the bird flu virus to the farms," a Rosptitsesoyuz spokesman told Interfax.
Outside people are denied access to poultry farms, disinfection is mandatory at the entrance to and exit from the farms, and ventilation chambers are fitted with special nets to keep out outside birds. The personnel are provided with disposable robes, he said.
In addition to this, the personnel are not allowed to keep poultry on their individual holdings and to travel to countries where bird flu has been reported. "This is another preventative measure," he added.
The feed that arrives at poultry farms comes under special control and is thermally treated.
The Moscow region is one of the largest poultry producers in
Russia. (Interfax)
How can I leave this universe for that one? It sounds a lot safer.
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often puzzled/deranged by your headlines.
What has it to do with cosmology ?
Revere Yes, we are most definitely master's of the universe and nature, aren't we?
And its not just the industries. Plans are a wonderful thing...and work perfectly every time...until they are tested.
As I read your post, I visualize a small hole in the wall; one little mouse nose wiggling and then a few tentative steps into the 'garden of Eden': it's warm and there is feed everywhere if you ignore the big stupid birds walking around.
What was it they said about the Titanic?
Notice they say "personnel not allowed to travel to countries where BF has been reported" - WOW! Does that mean that the Russian Govt has put in place a travel advisory for Russian citizens to, say, Indonesia? All on their own? without help from WHO?
Wonder why my govt hasnt done so?
The sad thing... the 'article' makes it sound so easy. /sigh
Sorry revere, you're stuck here with the rest of us.
anon, I think what Revere is referring to is that the folks quoted in the article apparently live in a parallel universe where something like "poultry farms in the Moscow region are immune to the bird flu virus" is actually possible.
Wonderful. Absolutely ruled out. See, all we have to do is lock up all the birds and all the people and, kazam, no problems. It's so simple
I remember 1986.
And I remember Russian -- er, pardon me, Soviet -- officials saying in response to inquiries from the foreign press that absolutely nothing was wrong at the Chernobyl plant. Completely normal. Entirely under control.
This at a time when airborne radionuclides were already setting off alarms all over Western Europe.
The nomenklatura knew at the time of their statements that said statements were complete lies. And what's more, they knew that the people to whom they were lying were perfectly aware that they were being lied to. Did that change things at all? Not in the least. They went ahead and lied with stern straight faces, in calm firm voices.
The labels change. The habits do not.
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If thats true Revere, then why are the Russians testing 5400 people even as I write this for BF?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1408932.ece
Okay Comrades, its time to wake up.... 5400 wouldnt be tested unless they had a reason and 4 farms in an outbreak doesnt a pandemic make. Human cases do make a pandemic and my little friend Gennady who works in a ministry says something is up and they wont tell them a thing.