Security
Bird flu: New strain found in Africa says UN's food and agriculture agency
New York, 12 August (AKI) - A new strain of the potentially deadly H5N1 virus has been identified in the west African country of Nigeria, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced on Tuesday.
Tests conducted by Nigeria and by the FAO show that the new virus strain – which is similar to ones identified last year in Italy, Afghanistan and Iran – is genetically distinct from other forms detected in Nigerian outbreaks in 2006 and 2007.
Birds have tested positive for the new strain of H5N1 in Nigeria's Katsina and Kano states, FAO said.
“It seems unlikely that wild birds have carried the strain to Africa, since the last migration of wild birds from Europe and Central Asia to Africa occurred in September 2007 and this year’s southerly migration into Africa has not really started yet,” said Scott Newman, International Wildlife Coordinator of FAO’s Animal Health Service.
International trade or illegal and unreported movement of poultry had most likely transported the new H5N1 strain to Nigeria, Scott said.
“This increases the risk of an avian influenza spread to other countries in Western Africa,” he said.
The FAO called for increased surveillance to monitor the virus and keep track of its spread.
“Many countries have succeeded in getting the virus under control. But as long as avian influenza remains endemic in some countries, the international community needs to be on alert,” said Joseph Domenech, FAO’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
H5N1 has impacted more than 60 countries since the epidemic began five years ago in Asia and most nations have eliminated it from poultry.
The virus was contained in Nigeria after being found in 25 states in 2006 and 2007.
FAO has a team of animal health experts and veterinary epidemiologists working with the Nigerian government.
Since the bird flu epidemic caused by the H5N1 strain started five years ago in Asia, the disease has affected over 60 countries; the vast majority of countries have succeeded to eliminate the virus from poultry.
Bird flu rarely infects people but has killed 243 out of 385 known to have been infected since 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Most cases have been in Asia.
It has killed or forced the slaughter of 300 million birds.
Scientists is the virus could mutate into a form that could trigger a pandemic.
Tests conducted by Nigeria and by the FAO show that the new virus strain – which is similar to ones identified last year in Italy, Afghanistan and Iran – is genetically distinct from other forms detected in Nigerian outbreaks in 2006 and 2007.
Birds have tested positive for the new strain of H5N1 in Nigeria's Katsina and Kano states, FAO said.
“It seems unlikely that wild birds have carried the strain to Africa, since the last migration of wild birds from Europe and Central Asia to Africa occurred in September 2007 and this year’s southerly migration into Africa has not really started yet,” said Scott Newman, International Wildlife Coordinator of FAO’s Animal Health Service.
International trade or illegal and unreported movement of poultry had most likely transported the new H5N1 strain to Nigeria, Scott said.
“This increases the risk of an avian influenza spread to other countries in Western Africa,” he said.
The FAO called for increased surveillance to monitor the virus and keep track of its spread.
“Many countries have succeeded in getting the virus under control. But as long as avian influenza remains endemic in some countries, the international community needs to be on alert,” said Joseph Domenech, FAO’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
H5N1 has impacted more than 60 countries since the epidemic began five years ago in Asia and most nations have eliminated it from poultry.
The virus was contained in Nigeria after being found in 25 states in 2006 and 2007.
FAO has a team of animal health experts and veterinary epidemiologists working with the Nigerian government.
Since the bird flu epidemic caused by the H5N1 strain started five years ago in Asia, the disease has affected over 60 countries; the vast majority of countries have succeeded to eliminate the virus from poultry.
Bird flu rarely infects people but has killed 243 out of 385 known to have been infected since 2003, according to the World Health Organization. Most cases have been in Asia.
It has killed or forced the slaughter of 300 million birds.
Scientists is the virus could mutate into a form that could trigger a pandemic.
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