African bird flu 'set to spread'

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African bird flu 'set to spread'

The first case of H5N1 bird flu in Africa is likely to be followed

quickly by others, creating a " very severe situation " , the UN's top

expert says.

Dr Nabarro of the World Health Organizaton (WHO) told the BBC

the virus " might be quite widespread " .

It comes after the strain deadly to humans was detected on a farm in

Kaduna in northern Nigeria.

Officials are investigating whether poultry in other states have also

died from the virus.

Dr Nabarro said the WHO was anticipating further outbreaks in other

parts of Africa.

" If it's in Nigeria it might also be in other countries that are less

well-equipped. "

He said governments and ordinary people would have to take " very,

very strong precautions " to protect themselves and stop the disease

spreading.

" We've got to have all countries, particularly in West Africa, being

very vigilant for bird die-offs, which are the indicator of bird flu

being in the population. "

Experts have been sent to the commercial chicken farm in Jaji, in

Kaduna state, where bird flu was found.

Authorities there said they had taken measures to stamp out the

outbreak by disinfecting the affected premises, imposing a quarantine

and putting restrictions on animal movements.

Dr Nabarro, who is leading the UN's response to bird flu, said

reports from Nigeria's ministry of agriculture suggested bird flu may

also have been found in the northern state of Kano and further south

in Joss.

Early detection

The BBC's Last in Lagos, Nigeria, says an outbreak of bird flu

could have devastating consequences in a country where millions of

people rear chickens as a basic source of income.

Experts have long feared that if H5N1 reached Africa, it could

quickly take hold and spread out of control.

Dr Thiermann of the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal

Health told the BBC that Africa's " veterinary infrastructures are

very weak " .

" And it is essential for the containment of this disease to have the

ability to early detect and take rapid action. And therefore we feel

that Nigeria and the other countries that are at risk need help very

quickly. "

Sold as meat

Nigeria says it will cull all infected birds and compensate farmers.

But a northern Nigerian farmer told the BBC News website that people

fear they will not be paid.

" The dead birds are being sent to market to be sold as meat...

because people are not sure if the government will assist them, " said

Auwalu Haruna from Kano.

It is thought bird flu may have been carried to Nigeria by migrating

birds or the smuggling of infected chickens from abroad.

More than 80 people have died of H5N1 bird flu since the disease's

resurgence in December 2003 - most in Asia.

Experts point out that cross-infection to humans is still relatively

rare, and usually occurs where people have been in close contact with

infected birds.

But they say if the H5N1 strain mutates so it can be passed between

humans, it could become a global pandemic, killing millions.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4695684.stm