For the people who are arguing that the ostriches posed a threat to human health and the poultry industry, please note that there is documentation from field reporters showing crews not wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Avian flu virus is shed in saliva, mucus, feces, and respiratory secretions.
Even a small amount can enter through the eyes, nose, or mouth, broken skin, or via inhalation of aerosolized particles (e.g., dust, feathers, dried feces). Handling the corpses of infected animals is one of the most common ways it spreads to people.
Respiratory tract, intestines, and feathers can remain loaded with live virus for days on dead birds.
The virus spreads through aerosolized dust, dried feces, or bodily fluids when handled.
Infection occurs if the virus contacts a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or broken skin.
People have been documented (extensively) contracting avian flu while helping to clean up from dead birds.
Human case investigations (e.g. In Vietnam, Egypt, and Cambodia) frequently describe exposure while cleaning or plucking dead birds bare-handed, often with cuts or skin irritation as the source of entry.
H5N1 virus binds to α-2,3 sialic acid receptors. These are found not only in respiratory tissue, but also in conjunctival and certain skin cells when the barrier is broken. Hence the need for gloves.
The crews who interacted with the live ostriches, exterminated the ostriches, and removed the ostriches carcasses weren't wearing PPE because everyone involved knew it was a charade.
Yes. It includes the non-biocontainment of the CFIA officials who reportedly left Spirit's corpse lying around for over a month. It also includes the non-biocontainment post-extermination rampage of the people you are running interference for.
So. About the discussion at hand. I was correct. The extermination had zero impact on your list of disease outbreaks and you in fact have no argument.
Are there better experts around? I am told to trust you guys but the thing is, your arguments don't stand up to basic scrutiny. Hence the lost of trust.
The fact is that no people in human history have died from avian flu from ostriches. Not one. Zip. Zero zilch. Not a single human being in 117 billion people have ever died this way.
Let's compare.
1 to 5 Americans die each year from Hantavirus.
0 to 8 Americans die from brain-eating amoebas.
5 to 10 people die worldwide from shark attacks.
1000 people die each year from crocodile attacks.
There are 500 to 3000 deaths per annum from hippo attacks.
Over 200,000 people die per year by drowning.
Overweight and obesity account for 2 to 4 million deaths per year.
About 10 million people die each year from cancer.
About 20 million people die each year from heart disease.
So just GTFO of here with your silly BS about the ostriches. Hypothetical scenarios don't justify what happened. You're a clueless nerd with a tenuous grip on reality and little understanding of relative risk and I am out of patience for the obfuscations.