Rwanda: FAO Warns on Regional Presence of Avian Flue

[They are referring to H5N1; not H1N1]

28 July 2009

Kigali — Two countries in the Eastern African sub-region have reportedly confirmed cases of Avian Influenza, according to reports from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Rwanda's country representative of FAO, Elisabeth Balepa revealed that Sudan and Djibouti are part of the eleven African countries currently affected by the disease.

"According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), out of 436 cases reported, 262 cases of HPAI virus have been fatal since the beginning of July this year," she told members of the Eastern Africa Laboratory Network.

Avian flu, commonly known as bird flu, refers to influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds. It is a phrase similar to swine flu, dog flu, horse flu, or human flu. Experts say that Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has the greatest concern. Balepa therefore called for possible measures to prevent and control the spread of the virus.

"We should note that the current outbreaks of flu (swine flu) continue to spread to increasing number of countries," she lamented. During the meeting that attracted veterinary officers and laboratory technicians, Agnes Kalibata the Minister of Agriculture said that it is important that regional experts find possible ways of curbing the spread of the virus.

"Disease outbreaks do not recognise political boundaries neither do they require visas to move from one country to another," she said. Kalibata explained that such diseases are a concern and it is important that nations collaborate and exchange information in the spirit of International Health Regulations.

The alert comes barely a year since Rwanda lifted its ban on the importation of poultry and its products from the region. This was after World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) survey that showed that the region was free from any bird flu threats that killed millions of birds and several human beings in Europe and, in Africa, Nigeria and Egypt.

The lift of the ban paved way for farmers and traders to buy chicks and eggs from any country in the East African region.

According to statistics from Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority (RARDA), the country has over two million birds.