One of the more under reported elements of the Bird Flu story has been the economic impact on the regions with reported infected bird stock.  Fear of the Bird Flu could cripple economies even if it doesn’t make the leap to a human-human spread disease if public information efforts do not succeed in convincing the public to act in a rational way.  Now that the Bird Flu has been reported to be entering Europe we are getting more reporting of the economic aspect and we can see the potential results of irrational fear.  The LA Times today has a good story on the issue, here is a short quote:

Despite their reassurances, the reality of the virus’ arrival has sent parts of the continent into hyperventilation.

Since the beginning of the week, the Italian Health Ministry reported, it has received more than 13,000 phone calls to a special bird flu hotline to report dead birds or ask for advice.

Health Minister Francesco Storace on Monday toured the southern provinces where infected swans had been found.

"We have to keep calm," he said, the Italian media reported. "The problem is restricted to wild waterfowl. The illness has not affected poultry, and we can continue to eat chicken."

Nevertheless, poultry sales have plunged 70%.

The Italian Farmers Confederation published the results of a national poll showing that eight of 10 consumers said they would not buy chicken, even though thorough cooking destroys the virus.

Umberto Borelli, head of the confederation’s animal production department, said the economic damage had been "dramatic."

"We are losing every day 6 million euros, over $7 million," he said.

Good work from the LA Times, go read the whole article because it contains the kind of information we ALL need to prepare for when the Bird Flu inevitably comes here to the US.