BSE, Bird Flu, and the Pig disease?

[cowman]

Well we've been through BSE and sort of survived. I wonder how long it will be until bird flu gets here? Seems like it is pretty bad in parts of asia and spreading? Then there is this pig disease in China that is pretty ugly?
I wonder if bird flu or this pig disease gets over here how well the farmers will be able to cope with it?
Seems these are pretty scary diseases as they kill people , while BSE really isn't that fatal in the big picture?
I wonder how fast these diseases might spread in our confinement barns?

[PureCountry]

cowman, lets hope that neither Avian Flu or any type of hog disease ever hits our industries. BSE has taken its toll, the last thing our agriculture folks or communities that rely on them for a living need is another crisis. Alberta does not have a huge poultry industry but there are significant independently owned operations as well as many as part of colonies. The hog industry in Alberta is relatively large and represents huge investments. Any disease would be devastating.

[Cattleman]

Just to refresh your memories, we did have the bird flu just last year in BC, and in parts of the US....but it does seem to be a tough one to stop!