Bird-Flu Fever

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RAVENS
In the 17th century, a prophecy warned that if six ravens did not remain at the Tower of London at all times, a great tragedy would befall England. Tough days, then, for Baldrick, Branwen, Gwyllum, Hugine, Munin and Thor — the sextet normally roaming in the fortress grounds, now placed in aviaries. Still, the birds — and the nation — are safe for now.

DUC CHICKEN
France is Europe's biggest poultry-producing country — and its consumers are keen on organic and free-range produce. Or they were, before fears of avian flu cast a shadow. Duc, one of France's two publicly quoted poultry producers, is attaching photos of caged hens to its products as a marketing device. So far, though, sales are hardly flying in response.

COQ A DOODLE DON'T
Stewards at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium will be keeping an eye out for cockerel smugglers when the French rugby squad plays Wales on March 18. For decades, French fans have released a cockerel — the French national emblem — during the game. But last week, an official declared: "Any smuggled bird is a risk."

ZOO STORIES
Lacking any international standards, European zoos are devising their own strategies for dealing with possible outbreaks — some grimmer that others. Zookeepers at Frösö Zoo in central Sweden have said they are prepared to put down all of its 500 birds, including flamingos, if H5N1 enters the country.

WORLD CUP
Soccer fans were shaken last week when the German media relayed doubts over the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. Both Bärbel Höhn, the Greens' agricultural expert, and Klaus Stöhr, head of the WHO influenza program, were reported to have said cancellation would be considered if mass cases of human influenza occurred in Germany.