Bahamian officials are not crying fowl over a series of unexplained flamingo deaths on the Island of Inagua. They seem to have underestimated the possible spread of the bird flu virus into Bahamas, from around the globe.
Bahamian Prime Minister Perry Christie has said that the preliminary investigation of flamingo deaths on the island of Inagua has showed that this was not caused by bird flu. Conclusive tests are expected which would in all likelihood be very close to the preliminary findings.The Bahamian government has sent experts to Inagua in the southern Bahamas soon after reports about the death of 21 birds, including 15 of the island's flamingos, made news.
Christie has certainly not overreacted to the possibility of an outbreak and in a statement to the parliament said, “That is something that the Ministry of Tourism can now take and communicate worldwide, but we will continue to work toward making absolutely certain that the preliminary findings at the site are incontrovertibly correct."
Bahamian officials are expecting conclusive test results within 10 days. Agriculture Minister Leslie Miller expressed relief after the preliminary tests saying: "Luckily for us, God bless us, no outbreak has taken place. The Bahamas is safe and secure from the disease that those birds carry."
