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In Florida the risk of bird flu is being taken seriously. Residents are now prohibited from keeping or maintaining wild animals and from feeding wild birds. This news has come to the residents of Miami Springs in the form of a flier.
According to the Miami Herald, the city of Miami Springs drafted a flier warning about the dangers of handling dead birds including news of the new $50 fine and law. Created by the communities policing office and City Management desk, the flier gives residents the facts on the H5N1 virus including possible dangers from handling dead animals. Residents are warned in writing to stay away from dead animals and to call the Miami Springs Police Department immediately if any are found.
Although few people have called in to the Police, it is good to hear of an effective method to help the public be aware without causing panic. Also noteworthy is that the police, according to the report, have set up a communications bridge to the “Miami-Dade County Health Department to test the birds for mosquito-borne viruses such as West Nile.”
I liked very much the summary given by the Florida Department of Health’s spokesman Doc Kokol when he said, ‘It’s important that we understand that there is no H5N1 avian flu in the North American continent,” Kokol said. “Now is a time for people to prepare, not panic. We recommend that all Floridians stay aware and informed locally.”
Now if every community created similar fliers and built networks, public awareness would go up and potential panic would go down. Good job Miami Springs, keep up the good work!
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