From Our Friends at ANSA.it:
Restaurant fined for lobster abuse
Crustaceans kept on ice rather than in water tank (ANSA) - Vicenza, April 26 -
A restaurant operator has been fined 688 euros for allegedly mistreating lobsters which were on display for potential customers, the local press reported.
The fine was the result of a complaint filed in March 2002 by a former activist from Italy's animal protection agency ENPA.
The 34-year restaurant operator was accused of keeping the lobsters on ice rather than in a water tank.
The fine was levied despite the restaurant operator's request for the opinion of an expert and he has appealed.
According to the restaurateur, four years ago there were no specific guidelines on maintaining live lobsters, regulations which entered the law books only in 2004.
The general opinion of lobstermen is that a hard shell lobster can survive out of the water for 24 hours or more, while soft shell lobsters, those which are re-growing their shells after shedding, are best kept in water.
They also maintain that lobsters, sometimes referred to as the 'cockroaches of the sea', do not suffer, for example when they are thrown into boiling water for cooking. Most lobsters in Italy are hard shells and arrive from northern Europe and North America packed in ice.
The local press here noted that the case has given the restaurant operator some excellent, free publicity.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Kiss the Pigeons, If You Really Have to...
Here's an article from the Associated Press as a follow-up to my previous post about the pigeons in San marco and the bird flu. So, if you really, really, really have to kiss the pigeons...
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Maybe You Can Kiss the Pigeons....
Foll9owing on a previous post about the San marco pigeons and bird flu, here's a follow-up story from the Associated Press:
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
AP Photo/M. SPENCER GREEN
Other News Video
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
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"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Apr 23, 10:26 AM EDT
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
By JOHN HEILPRIN
Associated Press Writer
AP Photo/M. SPENCER GREEN
Other News Video
WASHINGTON (AP) -- City folks, don't worry. Nobody expects pigeons, more common than manhole covers, will bring the deadly bird flu virus. Pigeons are not immune from the virus. But tests indicate the birds pick it up only when they are exposed to very high doses, do not always become infected under those conditions and are carriers only briefly.
"Pigeons aren't a big worry," said Rex Sohn, a wildlife disease specialist at the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wis. "But to make absolute predictions that pigeons won't be susceptible to this virus, in whatever form it arises in North America, is not something you want to say."
Government scientists looking for the first signs of the H5N1 bird flu strain in the United States are focusing on wild migratory birds, not resident birds such as pigeons, starlings and sparrows that stay close to home.
In February, a 14-year-old pigeon seller in Iraq died after coming down with bird flu-like symptoms. Authorities said three of his cousins also were hospitalized with similar symptoms.
There have been no pigeon die-offs in parts of the world experiencing H5N1 outbreaks, according to USGS wildlife disease specialist Grace McLaughlin.
Three studies since the late 1990s by the Agriculture Department's Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Ga., have produced "more questions than we have answers," said the center's director, David Swayne. The lab has been working on bird flu since the 1970s.
In one experiment, researchers squirted into pigeons' mouths liquid drops that contained the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus from a Hong Kong sample. The birds got about 100 to 1,000 times the concentration that wild birds would encounter in nature. "We couldn't infect the pigeons," Swayne said. "So that's good news."
In 2004, the lab did two more experiments. Using a pigeon and a crow that had both died in Thailand, researchers gave 12 pigeons similarly high doses of the bird flu virus. Seven became infected and one died. Five others did not become infected.
Interactive
Fighting the Flu
Latest Flu News
Tests: Pigeons Don't Pose Bird Flu Trouble
U.S. Poultry Farms Defend Against Bird Flu
Poll Shows Fear of Bird Flu Widespread
Poll: Doubts Over U.S. Bird Flu Plans
China Reports 12th Death From Bird Flu
Bird Flu Strain Could Be Hard to Spot
Official: Virus May Affect Poultry Sales
Flock-Killing Planned if Bird Flu Found
Experts Say Elderly Need Better Flu Shot
A Tourism Mecca, Hawaii Braces for Flu
Web Link
U.S. Government Info on Pandemic Flu
Buy AP Photo Reprints
"What that tells us is that pigeons can be susceptible. But they're not uniformly susceptible," Swayne said. "Not like chickens or ducks - they all become infected."
Infected pigeons carried the virus about 10 days. But they were infectious for only about two days and then at levels below what it would normally take to infect a chicken.
"The experimental data is not very strong that pigeons are going to be spreading this virus around," Swayne said. "At this point they have not been implicated in spreading it to humans and to farms."
Thursday, April 13, 2006
What About Bird Flu?
A recent Associated Press article tells how Key West officials are worried that the famous (infamous?) chickens that roam around the city could be carriers of the bird flu. They're talking about rounding the 2,000 to 3,000 chickens that are wandering around town. I wonder if Venetian authorities are thinking about the pigeons in San Marco and what they'll do if the bird flu strikes? I don't want to be an alarmist, but--please don't kiss the pigeons, feed them, or let them climb all over you.
Monday, April 10, 2006
It Could Only Happen in Venice...
I'm still sorting through my photos and notes from my March trip--it was so great! In the meantime, you'll have to amuse yourselves with this newsflash from our friendss at Buongiorno Venezia. As they say, this type of accident can only happen in Venice:
"It's the kind of accident that can happen only in Venice. Last Friday in Strada Nova, the crowded street which leads to the railway station, two handcarts that were transporting bottles of wine and spirits collided, one lost a wheel, skidded, and knocked down an English tourist. The woman fell, along with the shattering glass bottles, and suffered a severe laceration that, doctors at a nearby hospital said, would take ten days to heal. While it is a uniquely Venetian accident, it's not likely to provide very pleasant memories for the tourist and her family who may never again think about Venetian glass in quite the same way."
Watch out for those flying wine bottles! How do you say "duck" in Italian?
"It's the kind of accident that can happen only in Venice. Last Friday in Strada Nova, the crowded street which leads to the railway station, two handcarts that were transporting bottles of wine and spirits collided, one lost a wheel, skidded, and knocked down an English tourist. The woman fell, along with the shattering glass bottles, and suffered a severe laceration that, doctors at a nearby hospital said, would take ten days to heal. While it is a uniquely Venetian accident, it's not likely to provide very pleasant memories for the tourist and her family who may never again think about Venetian glass in quite the same way."
Watch out for those flying wine bottles! How do you say "duck" in Italian?
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Miss Manners Writes About Venice
I came across this today:
"In addition to her most recent book, 'Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior (Freshly Updated),' published in April 2005, Martin has written 10 other Miss Manners books and two novels. She is currently working on a non-fiction book, 'No Vulgar Hotel,' depicting Venice, Italy, through the eyes of travelers, past and present."
Miss Manners (Judith Martin) is a syndicated columnist who tries to bring some sense and civility to our world--I can't wait to read her advice for Venice! If you want to read the rest of the article (warning: there's nothing else about Venice in it.)
"In addition to her most recent book, 'Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior (Freshly Updated),' published in April 2005, Martin has written 10 other Miss Manners books and two novels. She is currently working on a non-fiction book, 'No Vulgar Hotel,' depicting Venice, Italy, through the eyes of travelers, past and present."
Miss Manners (Judith Martin) is a syndicated columnist who tries to bring some sense and civility to our world--I can't wait to read her advice for Venice! If you want to read the rest of the article (warning: there's nothing else about Venice in it.)
Sunday, April 02, 2006
I Missed My Anniversary
Weird Venice turned 1 on March 28--and I missed it! Thanks to everyone who's been reading it--and extra thanks to those who have the courage to comment! I just downloaded the photos from my recent trip and promise to post some details soon.
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