The avian (bird) flu has now reached France, brought by a migratory duck. Similar cases have been found in other european countries. Chances are that bird flu will be found next here in the UK, where we have a large migratory bird population.

I live close to a lake which has many such birds. The danger is that the disease is caught by any free roaming poultry.

The positive thing is that the deadly disease has so far only been found in humans who have had direct contact with an infected bird. However, I still think there will be a big boycott of chicken and eggs in our shops even before a case is found, as there was with eggs in a previous scare some years ago. The British shopper is easily scared, and no doubt there are already unfounded scare stories about bird flu being posted on websites. It always happens in this sort of situation.

A good thing personally, would be if all poultry had to be housed for a while, to avoid the danger of being infected. I am currently assaulted by the sound of two nearby cockerels sounding off at each other most of the day! It's an ill wind.