The Poultry Keeper

Lisa · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject: Pray this is wrong...

Thread today on PP forum saying DEFRA to announce outbreak later today in Essex..... Shocked

Knobby · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:07 pm Post subject:

I read that too ! Confused

NannyP · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:23 pm Post subject:

It sounds too unreal to be true. I cannot imagine anyone sharing that piece of news on the train, especially knowing that it would spread like wild fire.
Will wait and see.
Confused

Lisa · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:29 pm Post subject:

Yes can only wait and see. Must stay calm. Deep breaths....

nigel · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:30 pm Post subject:

It would have leaked by now - if they knew there was an AI outbreak in Essex the whole county would be crawling with white coated (and white-faced) Defra officials and they would not go unnoticed.

I reserve judgement

NannyP · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:34 pm Post subject:

There is so much scaremongering going on, I'm becoming pretty p***ed off Evil or Very Mad

stephen · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject:

I've sent an e-mail to Defra's press office asking if they could add us to the press release pool so we've got half-a-chance of getting accurate info.

Lisa · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:07 pm Post subject:

Wow - excellent idea Stephen!!

NannyP · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject:

Now that's a sensible idea. Let's hope THEY know what's going on Rolling Eyes

Lisa · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:05 pm Post subject:

Well.... the plot thickens - that thread on PP is currently unavailable and the lastest poster seems to now be an ex member Confused

So... was it a hoax? Or did DEFRA send a hit squad round!? Rolling Eyes

Julian · Joined: 26 Oct 2005 Posts: 16

DEFRA press office say they know nothing whatever about this story or any outbreak of avian flu in Essex.

The level of hysteria which is just bubbling under the surface is a perfect condition and excuse for the spreading of bogus stories such as this one.

stephen · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:23 pm Post subject:

I wouldn't be surprised if Defra were keeping an eye on forums, blogs and websites generally and trying to keep the panic to a minimum.

We've seen in the last 12 months how the internet can diseminate information far quicker than traditional media, especially when "the powers that be" and "cover up" could be in the same sentence.

The last thing anyone needs is a full blown internet panic that turns out to be someones warped imagination, if that does indeed turn out to be the case.

CP · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject:

Isn't it sad that people can do such a thing? What sort of warped pleasure do they get out of it? Confused

Right or wrong, I will still be keeping a close watch on the DEFRA website as surely they will be the first (or one of the first) to publish any outbreaks if they occur.

Scaremongering just causes unnecessary panic.

I am not panicking - yet! But we are setting up contingency plans should we need to keep our birds inside.

NannyP · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:32 pm Post subject:

So, can we remain calm. We've done really well so far, and I'd like to vote for no scaremongering or rumour spreading. Let's just talk about factual information.
Please Confused

Looks like they have a hoaxer on their site Rolling Eyes

Please let's make sure we don't get any on here.

stephen · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 5:36 pm Post subject:

Don't worry - myself and Deb are keeping a close eye on things.