Burkina Faso - Bird flu suspected after thousands of deaths in poultry - samples sent to Italy for confirmation - government confirms H5N1

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The Burkina Faso threatened by bird flu

By: | Tags: burkina
French.china.org.cn | Updated 26-03-2015

The Ministry of Animal Resources of Burkina Faso is concerned that the country is being threatened by bird flu after finding a suspicious mass mortality of the race poultry both around the Burkinabe capite, Ouagadougou, and in some provinces of the country since two months.

The Ministry of Animal Resources said Thursday that in the outskirts of Ouagadougou, thousands of deaths in poultry raising fears of the presence of the H1N1 virus in the livestock sector.

According to officials of the livestock sector, cases of poultry deaths were registered in promotion of village poultry Center (CEPAVI) and a poultry farm in Koubri (Centre), but also in the province Sangui? ( center-west).

Several other localities within the country have registered cases of suspicious deaths of poultry in February and March.

The Director General of Veterinary Services, Lassina Ouattara, explained that the mortality rates observed in suspected farms range from 50% to 100% and mainly relate poultry breed, although some cases have also been suspected in the local race, stating that "Burkina Faso can not cope on its own with the situation."

He also indicated that samples were taken on poultry carcasses and analyzes are underway in a laboratory in Italy.
The livestock sector is a major source of export revenue, after gold and cotton. F

http://french.china.org.cn/foreign/txt/2015-03/26/content_35166160.htm

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March 26, 2015

Livestock: Burkina fears a return of bird flu

Cases of massive mortality of poultry were recorded at the promote village poultry Center (CEPAVI), in a poultry farm in Koubri (Centre), but also in the province Sangui? (center-west) in recent days. For the authorities in charge of livestock, this is due to several diseases including perhaps avian influenza. It is the H1N1 virus which was suspected.

The Director General of Veterinary Services, Lassina Ouattara, explained that the mortality rates observed in suspected farms range from 50% to 100% and mainly relate to poultry breed, although some cases have also been suspected in the local breed.

"The cases we have currently registered and for which the first results of suspicion that we had are related to Newcastle disease," says Jocelyne Bontoulgou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Animal Resources. Also called ? pseudopeste aviaire ?, this highly contagious disease regularly decimates poultry in Burkina Faso.

Ms. Bontoulgou also said that the authorities also fear that another disease, equally daunting, is the basis of this mortality in poultry. "The most grave is that we have a suspicion of avian influenza. We are still at the stage of suspicion because the WHO procedure concerning animal health wants the samples that we inspected here to be confirmed by a reference laboratory "said the general secretary of the Ministry of Animal Resources.

These samples and analyzes made by the animal health services implicate the highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu). Samples were sent to the reference laboratory of the World Organisation for Animal Health on Wednesday to confirm the diagnosis made at the National Livestock Laboratory. Meanwhile, the ministry in charge of Animal Resources invites industry players to implement protective measures. "Especially producers who are in direct contact with poultry exposed. They must take precautions in handling and protecting themselves, "advises Ms. Bontoulgou.

In 2006, Burkina Faso was hit by an outbreak of bird flu when an outbreak of this disease was detected in the camp "Pharaoh" in Gampela, which is located about fifteen kilometers from Ouagadougou.

http://www.fasozine.com/elevage-le-burkina-redoute-un-retour-de-la-grippe-aviaire/

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"Suspected Bird Flu": the Minister of Animal Resources recommends caution

Published Friday, March 27, 2015 | AIB

The Minister of Animal Resources, Jean Paul Rouamba, pending confirmation or refutation of a new outbreak of bird flu in Burkina Faso, recommended that people be cautious.

"We have actually strong suspicion that this disease (bird flu) has returned to Burkina Faso. But as technicians have said, samples were sent to a reference laboratory in Italy and I think next week we will have the results to confirm whether or not it is the bird flu, "said Thursday at Kaya (100km North Central) John Paul Rouamba.

Mr Rouamba who was speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with the players in the North Central region, explained that "abnormally high mortalities (poultry) were found in three villages Sangui? (Central West) the promotion of village poultry Center (CEPAVI) in Ouagadougou and a modern farm in Koubri (not far from Ouagadougou). "

Expectantly, M Rouamba recommended "to take a number of precautions in particular, to avoid transporting poultry from areas that are currently affected by the high mortality to other areas."

"We must also avoid eating dead birds. They should be automatically destroyed by fire in preference to eliminate the pathogens that exist, "he added.

The Minister Rouamba reassured that its technical services are at work in these areas affected by the death in order to make a number of treatment.

The bird flu epidemic that hit West Africa in the years 2007, hit Burkina Faso but to a lesser degree.

Burkina Information Agency

http://news.aouaga.com/h/59895.html

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Epidemic poultry: breeders in disarray

30 March 2015 - Economy-Finance -

For several days, Burkina Faso has recorded strong poultry mortalities (several thousand). These are basically three farm sites, located respectively in the province of Kadiogo, common Koubri and Tenado. While farmers lament because of the extent of losses, veterinary services of the Ministry of Animal Resources are active in research and call the people to be cautious.

The information was made public Wednesday, March 25, 2015, by the authorities in charge of the animal question. To date, and in a non-exhaustive assessment, nearly 15,000 poultry were found dead in the three farms visited by the technical services of the Ministry. Zacharie Compaore, Director of Promotion Centre of the village poultry in Kadiogo province is bitter: "In a few days, it's 3919 poultry in all categories, who died of a total of 7169 that has the center . This is the first time we face such a disaster. To me, this is the introduction of breeding species from Ghana by a tenant who is the cause of this epidemic in my center, "he said, annoyed.

At this carnage adds the staggering numbers of Koubri farm that is the culmination point of this epidemic. There are nearly 10 000 chickens which died a day on a total of 200 000. For its part, Issouf Ouedraogo, manager of a breeding poultry site in Koubri, remains speechless and dumbfounded at the immensity of the loss . This is the first time he is faced with a situation that destroys efforts of several years of work. "I had never seen that before, yet, we received a visit from a veterinarian a few days ago. He had reassured us that all is well, there we are today, "he concluded, dumbfounded. On the site of the repository poultry he says no dead chicken was consumed and that veterinary services carry out the removal of dead chickens after the announcement of the news.

At the level of the authorities, they remain cautious, if they recognize that this is a poultry epidemic, no one made the leap to describe this pernicious disease.

According to the authorities of the ministry, expressed after analyzes, Burkina Faso's poultry sector would face a strong suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza. For now, "we are waiting for the results of the examinations we have sponsored after sending samples in Italy" assures Jocelyne Bontoulgou / Some, Secretary General of the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries.
To measure the extent of the situation, she announced a census of farms across the country in the coming days. This census will primarily aim to see if other farms are not affected by the epidemic.

While waiting to learn more about the nature of this epidemic ravaging farms, promoters eyes are divine providence they hope favorable to their fate. Also, they pray for it to happen as soon as possible to "save an activity that many of them consider the way of salvation, and success."

W. DAVY

http://lesechosdufaso.net/epidemie-de-volailles-les-eleveurs-dans-le-desarroi/

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Green | Wed Apr 1, 2015 7:37pm EDT Related: ENVIRONMENT

Burkina Faso government confirms outbreak of bird flu in chickens
OUAGADOUGOU

(Reuters) - Burkina Faso?s government confirmed on Wednesday that an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu was responsible for the deaths of large numbers of chickens in two regions of the country in recent weeks.
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Rouamba said that strict measures had been put in place by the authorities to control further infections though he gave no details. The deaths occurred in Kadiogo province in Centre region and Sanguie in Centre-West region, Rouamba said on state radio.

Burkina Faso last battled an outbreak of avian flu in 2006, when the disease was detected in a string of other countries in the region, including Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon and Ghana.
...

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/01/us-health-birdflu-burkina-idUSKBN0MS5J520150401

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Avian influenza in Burkina: 115,000 birds concerned

Thursday, April 2, 2015

The Ministry of Animal Resources hosted on Thursday a press conference to confirm the presence in Burkina Faso of highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu and to call the people, especially poultry farmers and poultry traders to open collaboration in management of this new health crisis, following that of 2006.
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"We are therefore able to declare the circulation of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza in Burkina Faso. Remember that this is an infectious disease, highly contagious, affecting domestic poultry and wild birds. It is caused by a virus, and causes a very significant and rapid mortality in infected flocks and against which there is no treatment at present. It is also a disease that can affect people in close contact with sick or dead birds. " It is in these terms that the general secretary of the Ministry of Animal Resources, Jocelyne Bontoulgou, confirmed this Thursday, April 2, 2015 in Ouagadougou, Burkina existence of avian flu. This confirmation is the result of investigations veterinary services to corporate suites significant mortality of birds recorded current February-March 2015 in traditional and modern farms in the provinces of Kadiogo, Central Region and Sangui?, Central West region.

The origins of the unknown disease

A total of 115,000 birds are so far affected by bird flu, according to the Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Lassina Ouattara. Which corresponds in terms cash to a loss of 4,000,750,000 FCFA. The bird flu outbreaks are, for now, in the town of Tenado, especially in villages and Batondo Baguiemo; in the town of Pouni, particularly in the village of Napon?; and common Koubri, particularly in the village of Namb?. SG according to the Minister of Fisheries Resources, orders should be signed on Thursday or Friday at the latest by the High Commissioner and the Kadiogo Sangui?. These orders should declare the provinces of Kadiogo and Sangui? exit ban areas and poultry entering a period of 30 days. As for the villages Napon?, Namb?, Batondo Baguiermo and they should be declared unlawful confinement areas. Poultry in those areas should Census object destruction with minutes of proceedings for compensation for farmers concerned. The origins of the disease are still unknown. "Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin" assured the Chief Veterinary Officer.

Soon a response plan

The orders of the two High Commissioners will initiate the same time fightback campaign against avian flu. And the measures taken in communication and awareness and poultry stakeholders at the first appearance of the disease in the country in 2006, should be brought up to date. According to the Director of Communications and Corporate press, Romuald Somda, ten modules were developed at the time and are expected to be used as part of the impending fightback campaign. Pending the implementation of these measures, people are encouraged to avoid contact with poultry and to eat only well-cooked poultry meat. Note that an estimated 35,000, the number of poultry consumed per day in Ouagadougou.

Gregory B. Bazi?
Lefaso.net

http://www.lefaso.net/spip.php?article64076

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Assessment of bird flu in Burkina Faso

More than 100,000 fowls ravaged by bird flu in a month in Burkina Faso -

Between February and March 2015, 115 000 poultry have been ravaged by bird flu H5N1 out of a total estimated at 41 million in Burkina Faso, we learned Thursday from sources close to the ministry in charge of animal resources.

"We have identified about 115,000 poultry killed by bird flu in Sangui? (Central West) and Kadiogo (Centre). Between 100 and 110 thousand of these corpses are laying hen, "said the Director General of Veterinary Services, Lassina Ouattara.

Last Wednesday, the Burkinabe government officially announced that cases of H5N1 bird flu have been detected in poultry breeding.

These important poultry mortalities recorded at the level of traditional and modern breeding have resulted in a loss estimated at 4,750 billion CFA francs, the ministry in charge of animal resources.

The ministry announced that it will "very soon" start its response plan that was used to control this highly contagious and infectious disease in 2006.

It is, among others, according to Mr. Ouattara destruction of infected poultry carcasses, to slaughter of sick poultry and public awareness on measures to be observed.

In Burkina Faso, Sahelian country without maritime outlet, poultry is rooted in eating habits. In Ouagadougou, nearly 35,000 poultry are consumed per day.

"People need to understand that properly cooked poultry meat poses no problem. It is the handling and consumption of contaminated poultry carcasses which is prohibited, "said Mr. Ouattara.

On the origin of the disease, the ministry said they had suspicions about Ghana. "We have very strong suspicions on the export of poultry from Ghana. All fraudulent entries will be punished, "said the director of veterinary services.

The H5N1 strain of the virus can affect people in close contact with sick or dead birds. According to WHO, it killed more than 400 people worldwide since its introduction in 2003.

Since the 2006 outbreak, "it was not notified a human case of bird flu in Burkina Faso," reassured the ministry in charge of animal resources.

Pana 03/04/2015

http://www.afriquejet.com/actualites/16718-bilan-de-la-grippe-aviaire-au-burkina-faso.html

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13/04/15
Anne-Marie Dias-Borges

Q & A: Be aware of the seriousness of bird flu

Burkina Faso is currently facing a bird flu epidemic that is a serious blow to the country's economy and food security of its population.
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SciDev.Net met Bernard Vallat, Director General of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which analyzes the epizootic in Burkina Faso and sheds light on this disease is not his first appearance.

An outbreak of bird flu is now raging in parts of Burkina Faso. What can be the possible origins?
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The analysis confirmed that it is a strain called H5N1, which primarily affects poultry but can sometimes affect humans.
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The origin, we know it, since in Africa this year, the disease began in Nigeria and has invaded much of the country.

It then began to spread, and today almost all neighboring countries of Nigeria have been contaminated with infected poultry from Nigeria.

This is not the first time that this virus comes in Africa. It had happened in Africa a few years ago and it was possible to get rid of it.

We will take steps to ensure that African countries can get rid of this virus that attacks their poultry.
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What acts of intervention OIE has already performed as part of this outbreak in Burkina Faso? And have you also acted in Nigeria?

Yes, the government of Nigeria has asked a delegation to advise the government and the OIE has sent an expert for several days to give advice to the Government of Nigeria.

We have also published several books, we have information on our website.

So all our colleagues who are managers worldwide refer to our publications and consider our advice.

We issued several publications on avian influenza.

Nigeria had requested a mission because it had requested a loan from the World Bank to set up a national operation Prevention and the World Bank had requested support from OIE to help the design of the national program.

And what about the Burkina Faso?

The situation is still not very grave. So our colleagues are able to control the situation; but if the problem worsens, then we will take further action.

Is there a specific action for Africa?

In Africa, it may be a bit more complicated because there are a lot of "bicycle chicken" that are around the houses, whereas when the chickens are locked up, it's easier.

When chickens are free, this makes them more vulnerable to a contamination.
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http://www.scidev.net/afrique-sub-saharienne/sante/actualites/q-r-prendre-conscience-gravite-grippe-aviaire.html

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Burkina Faso: more than 200,000 fowls decimated by bird flu

By: | Tags: burkina
French.china.org.cn | Updated 16-04-2015

As of April 13, Burkina Faso has recorded more than 202,000 dead or slaughtered poultry and losses estimated at more than 3 billion CFA francs (US $ 6 million) since the beginning of the outbreak of the epidemic of influenza or bird flu in early April, has learned Wednesday from sources close to the ministry in charge of animal resources.

According to the Ministry in charge of animal resources, avian influenza has been identified in five provinces, particularly in the central and western parts of the country, killing 200,000 chickens and 2,000 guineafowl in 19 epizootic outbreaks.

Nearly 11.4 million poultry heads are exposed to the virus.

Faced with this situation, the Department has activated its response plan that includes measures such as the destruction of contaminated poultry carcasses, slaughter of sick poultry and public awareness on measures to be taken, said the CEO veterinary services, Lassiana Ouattara.

Burkina Faso has already mobilized 390 million CFA francs ($ 780,000 USD) for the financing of this response plan, and relies on the technical and financial partners to complete it with 2.6 billion CFA francs (US $ 5.2 million) .

The H5N1 strain of the virus can affect people in close contact with sick or dead birds. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it has killed more than 400 people worldwide since its introduction in 2003. Since the outbreak of bird flu, several neighboring countries have banned the import of poultry from Burkina Faso where livestock products are in second place after mining. F

http://french.china.org.cn/foreign/txt/2015-04/16/content_35332697.htm

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Avian Influenza: 102 poultry and 380 eggs incinerated in Gaoua

Gaoua, April 16, 2015 (AIB) -As part of the response against bird flu, 100 chickens, 2 pigeons and 380 eggs were cremated on Thursday night in Gaoua (Southwest) in Sector 1, now declared "ban zone ", noted the AIB.

The 102 poultry and 380 eggs cremated Thursday night by a team from the Ministry of Animal Resources, belong to the farm "Grace", located at sector 1 of Gaoua. According to the regional director of the Southwest Animal Resources Rassablaga Dominique Sawadogo, analysis proved the existence of cases of the H5N1 bird flu, after the firm lost three quarters of its poultry. To limit the epidemic, sector 1 of Gaoua was declared closed area April 15, 2015, he continued.

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http://www.aib.bf/m-3036-grippe-aviaire-102-volailles-et-380-oeufs-incineres-a-gaoua.html

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EPIDEMIC OF AVIAN INFLUENZA: LOST 3 BILLION CFA FOR BURKINA

This Tuesday, April 21, 2015, the Minister of Animal Resources, Jean Paul Roumba was facing reporters for a new appointment of the weekly press briefing ...
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To the press, the Minister of Animal Resources John Paul Roumba was more interested in the issue of bird flu raging in Burkina since April when two outbreaks were discovered. As of today, 19 outbreaks have been recorded, according to the minister.

The origin

This question of the origin of the virus came back during the exchanges with the minister. According to him, two hypotheses may be issued. The first, for him, could come from a neighboring country particularly Ghana, where poultry are imported by Burkinabe traders.

The second for him could also come from wild birds. These birds traveling from country to country, so could bring this disease.

Aftermath

The outbreak of bird flu in Burkina is not inconsequential for traders and government. In terms of this consequence, the Minister argues that more than three billion CFA franc are within the scope of the direct losses.

In terms of indirect losses (border closure) Minister pounds without going into details that they are important.
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http://burkina24.com/2015/04/21/epidemie-de-grippe-aviaire-pertes-de-3-milliards-de-f-cfa-pour-le-burkina/