gnu -

GMD = Goats of Mellow Disposition? (hard to tell from here)

or

GMD = Geese of Moderate Defecation? (never heard of one, so you probably ain't got 'em.)

??? "gnu" starts with a "G" too, but I was purty shur there was at least one of 'em up there.

I think most in the US still consider Canada a "friendly nation" but they can be danged hard for some of us to understand at times.

The most recent find appears to be isolated, and probably not one of the dangerous flu strains. It is reassuring that the report appeared promptly, and the indication that there is an attitude of "watchfulness" is a good thing.

One of the arguments for the likelihood of a crossover and widespread infection by a bird flu mutant dangerous to humans is the rather large number of cases of the "previously rare(?)" infection in birds, reported in a few places; and of course the several human infections that have been reported.

A problem is that we don't seem to really know how rare the infection in birds has been, since it wasn't closely monitored until human infections (and deaths) were identified. We also don't have much information on human infections before any such could be linked to the birds. Some of our experts are probably working on these questions, and better understanding may (or not) help to refine the odds on the crossover. Even if the statistics are improved, it's still a "chance event" so no specific date when it will happen can be predicted.

There is no question that a couple of viral strains exist for which most humans would have no prior immunity, and the probability that those forms will eventually cross with similar ones that are easily transmissible can be easily, and apparently accurately, calculated. It does not seem to be an exaggeration to say that it WILL HAPPEN.

Does anyone know how the 180,000 per day¹ big bird movement compares to daily international airline traffic?

¹ An arbitrary number from above, just to suggest the comparison.

John