In an attempt to protect against bird flu, it has been proposed to spend an amount of $500,000 towards the protection of more than 3000 species of rare birds (only found in captivity) in the San Diego Zoo.
The previous threats from Newcastle disease that occurred three years ago in the United States is believed to have to a great extent helped in preparing against the bird flu threat. More than $500,000 was spent on institution of precautionary measures against New Castle disease at that time.Measures such as massive vaccination of birds and strict monitoring of the birds would be undertaken as a precautionary measure. In addition, delivery drivers would be questioned about where they had been and truck undercarriages would be disinfected with appropriate agents.
The visitors would be prohibited from any contact with the zoo in birds. The entry of any wild birds that could carry the deadly bird flu virus would be restricted. The zoo authorities have realized that all the above-mentioned tasks would demand a huge deal of money. ‘Ninety percent of what we plan to do if is an influenza outbreak, we've done for Newcastle, said Donald Janssen, the zoo's director of veterinary medicine.
