Anti-bird flu steps aimed at children in Japan

Following the recent discovery of crows infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza in Kyoto and Osaka prefectures, measures to keep schoolchildren away from birds have been taken in western Japan.



Authorities, however, have criticized the measures, saying people should not overreact to the bird flu outbreak because humans rarely get infected with the virus, adding that reducing the already limited places where children can come into contact with animals is a greater problem.



More than 10 schools ordinarily visit Kohoku Wild-birds Center to observe the wild birds of Lake Biwa in Kohokucho, Shiga Prefecture, as a part of school activities in March every year. According to the center, no school has made a reservation to visit the facility this month.



Two nursery schools canceled their scheduled visit to the Waterfowl Observation Center, a similar facility in Shinasahicho in the prefecture.



Kobe Oji Zoo in Nada Ward, Kobe, has confined its 40 fowls inside a fence, although they usually move freely in an area in which visitors may touch small animals.



Officials at Wanpark Kochi Animal Land, a zoo in Kochi, also have put chickens and other birds in cages to prevent visitors from touching them.



Visitors to Isogi Koen park in Shirahamacho, Wakayama Prefecture, have been prohibited from entering areas close to where about 200 bantams and other birds are kept.



Marine Plaza Miyajima, an aquarium in Miyajimacho, Hiroshima Prefecture, is no longer parading penguins around its facility. Twenty veterinarians and bird experts in Otsu have volunteered to check chickens and coops at 50 primary schools and kindergartens in the city.



Norihiro Tsuji, director of Minoo municipal Todoromi Kindergarten in Osaka Prefecture, said, 'We feel bad telling children not to touch birds because we've taught them that even small creatures should be appreciated.'



At the kindergarten, wild birds flock around a coop where six bantams and other birds are kept. Kindergarten officials currently are taking care of the birds while keeping the children away. The neighborhood around the kindergarten is a haven for wild birds, including goshawks. The recent bird flu epidemic makes teachers sigh, saying the neighborhood used to be a great environment for children.



The municipal government of Nosecho, near Minoo, sterilized coops and conducted checkups on birds bred at four municipal primary schools. The municipal government has prohibited students from touching the birds.



Officials at Kunimatsumidorioka Primary School in Neyagawa, Osaka Prefecture, are wary of wild birds roosting in a neighborhood bamboo forest. They have barred students from taking care of the chickens and other birds kept at the school. The school's bird coop was covered with a net to prevent wild birds, even small ones, from entering. According to the Osaka Prefectural Board of Education, birds are bred at 923 public primary schools and kindergartens in the prefecture.