Thursday, March 12, 2009

East Africa - Kenya-Bird Flu-Alert

A two-day East African Community (EAC) partner states national human and national pandemic influenza regional workshop kicked off in Nairobi on Thursday with revelations that Kenya is on a high alert over avian influenza also known as bird flu.

Speaking at the conference, the director of veterinary services, Michael Cheruiyot said that the country was in a high alert as the country plays hosts to migratory birds.

He said the presence of the migratory birds raises the possibility of infection of domesticated chickens.

He disclosed that health officers are on high alert and chicken farmers across the country have been asked to report any strange illnesses to clinical officers.

The workshop, which brings together over 80 participants from the partner states of Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, as well as from South Sudan and the hosts Kenya, is a follow-up on the recommendations by the first regional training on emergency preparedness and response on avian flu held last year in Zanzibar.

hat-tip Kobie

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