A naturopath?s claims that his treatments can prevent deadly Avian Flu are for the birds, the Department of Health said last week.

General practitioner of naturopathic medicine, Dr. Richmond K. Simmons, has said in newspaper advertisements that his practice can offer remedies to prevent the bird flu, such as an immune system boosting programme.

?I am here to increase elements in the immune system. They may still have the virus but perhaps not the symptoms,? he said.

While Dr. Simmons did not have any formal documentation to back up his claim, he said he was a trained doctor who received his medical degree from an acclaimed school.

?I don?t have any fancy testing to prove that. If you want to test me literally you can go to a lab for that,? he said. ?I believe cures can be there. There can be faith, and there can be dedication. I am a very passionate person, I am not in it for the money.

?People?s health is at stake right now, I am not going to wait until they prove I am wrong. I am caring about people, letting them know I have solutions,? he said.

But Dr. Brenda Davidson, the Health Department?s senior medical officer threw cold water on Dr. Simmons? claims, saying: ?I wish that naturopathy would work, but that?s wishful thinking.?

While naturopathy may improve a person?s immune system, there can be no guarantee that it can protect against the bird flu. Such claims would be difficult to prove without formal documentation, she said.

Avian bird flu, a deadly form of influenza, was known to directly affect humans in 1997 when six people in Hong Kong, China died. Since then, the death toll has risen to 115 and it remains a serious concern for global health organisations.

Dr. Simmons stuck by his advertisement and said he intended for it to be aggressive in order to get people to think critically about his medical practice.

?I have to be aggressive with my advertising. I have to just hold my note and keep it there,? he said.

Dr. Simmons admitted that while Bermuda does not have any strict laws on licensure, the Health Department knows about his services.