Sad in Galapagos (1 Viewer)

[Maroon Jay]

I am currently in Galapagos. Two of the areas that I planned to visit are closed due to avian flu. So I guess I will never get to see the Red-footed Booby or the Waved Albatross. There are a total of three closed areas: Genovesa Island, Punta Pitt on San Cristobal and Espanola Island. One dead bird was found in each area. Question: if bird flu spreads from bird to bird and not to humans, how does keeping humans out improve the situation?

 

[temmie]

I am currently in Galapagos. Two of the areas that I planned to visit are closed due to avian flu. So I guess I will never get to see the Red-footed Booby or the Waved Albatross. There are a total of three closed areas: Genovesa Island, Punta Pitt on San Cristobal and Espanola Island. One dead bird was found in each area. Question: if bird flu spreads from bird to bird and not to humans, how does keeping humans out improve the situation?

bummer. I believe it spreads by humans as well, so any human-bird contact can spread the disease as well.

 

[DMW]

My understanding is that it can be transmitted through contact with feces, so walking in an infected seabird colony and then visiting another without cleaning footwear could make you a vector. Avian flu has been brutal recently and extreme caution in the Galapagos would seem highly sensible.

 

[Jacana]

Yep, keeping humans out it to protect you more than the birds. The survival rates for humans with these newer strains is not good at all, something like 55-60% of humans die when infected.