Investments in ‘Ecosystem’ Health Likely to Pay Dividends in War Against Infectious Diseases Nairobi, 11 April 2006 - Restoring tens of thousands of lost and degraded wetlands could go a long way towards reducing the threat of avian flu pandemics a new report today says. The United Nations Enviroment Programme Report -- The loss of wetlands around the globe (see notes to editors) is forcing many wild birds onto alternative sites like farm ponds and paddy fields, bringing them into direct contact with chickens, ducks, geese, and other domesticated fowl. Close contact of wild birds and poultry species is believed to be a major cause behind the spread of avian influenza. http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=475&ArticleID=5255&l=ene