THE EDITOR, Sir:
I VIEWED with interest on May 29, a Jamaica Information Service broadcast on the bird flu virus, and steps taken by the veterinary division which seem to be focused on the laboratory preparations, rather than prevention through vaccinations of our wild and domestic species of birds, as well as a sample volunteer of the human population.
If one has a knowledge of the food chain, then it would be prudent to begin those trial vaccinations on our shore birds (such as the boobies, pelicans, and frigates that were featured in the broadcast).
National Environment and Planning Agency would have the relevant information on these shore birds. Naturally, our domestic birds, both at industrial and backyard farms, must also be vaccinated. For laboratory research purposes, these birds (wild and domestic) must be banded for follow-up reviews.
BELOW PAR
The veterinary division should also use the opportunity to review the below-par standard of some of these backyard chicken farms.
I see no reason why individuals should not volunteer for the trial testing of the vaccines that are available for humans, once they are made aware of the ethical and legal implications of such research steps, and its international implications towards the bird flu pandemic that was equated to the West Nile virus on the broadcast.
Domestic birds that have been vaccinated should be clearly labelled for the consumers prior to sale on the market.
Consumers wishing to volunteer for further testing of the impact of these vaccinated birds in the human food chain, should follow the relevant protocols established by the veterinary division, if there are any.
I am, etc.,
ELAINE FOSTER
fosshar04@yahoo.com
Kingston 6
