SUDAN - Bird flu case confirmed [in poultry] in Juba

[hawkeye]

Deadly bird flu outbreak rocks southern Sudan (Juba)

Deadly bird flu outbreak rocks southern Sudan (Juba)

Deadly bird flu outbreak rocks southern Sudan
Juba - Authorities in autonomous southern Sudan said Wednesday they had confirmed an outbreak of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in poultry, with two other suspected cases of the virus potentially fatal to humans.

The outbreak, confirmed by laboratories in the federal capital, Khartoum, and Britain, has not infected any people, they said, but has prompted an alert in neighbouring Uganda amid fears it could spread to humans.

The tests confirmed that several chickens from a residential backyard in the southern Sudanese capital of Juba had died from H5N1 on August 3, said Louis Morris Kyanga of south Sudan's Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries.

"We received the results of the tests, and unfortunately all the samples have proven to be positive," he told reporters, adding that further tests were being conducted on the carcasses of 18 ducks found in two backyards on September 9.

"Samples from those have been sent again to Khartoum and the United Kingdom, as we do not have the laboratory facilities here, but they are suspected to be avian flu just by the signs," Kyanaga said.

H5N1, which has killed nearly 140 people, mostly in Asia, since 2003, was reported in northern and central Sudan in April but had not spread to the south.

Sudan shares a lengthy border with Egypt, which has suffered more from bird flu than any other country outside Asia since the virus began spreading worldwide earlier this year.

The only human case thus far reported in sub-Saharan Africa has been in the Red Sea state of Djibouti.

While the virus does not spread easily among people, the chance of a mutation that would allow it to do so is heightened as more humans catch it from infected birds.

Scientists fear that if this occurs, a global flu pandemic with a massive death toll could result.

Africa is considered particularly at risk due to the close proximity between poultry and humans on small family farms such as the affected homesteads in Juba.

Kyanga said southern Sudan authorities were taking steps to contain the flu but had not yet resorted to culling.

"A surveillance team has been sent to the affected areas and there is a ban on the movement of birds," he said. - Sapa-AFP

 

[Sharpe]

Re: Ugandan gov't issues bird flu alert

Re: Ugandan gov't issues bird flu alert

Fascinating little story.


http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200609181410.html
Govt Bans Bird Trade At Sudan, DRC Border

The Monitor (Kampala)
NEWS
September 19, 2006
Posted to the web September 18, 2006

By Tabu Butagira
West Nile

THE government has ordered the immediate closure of poultry markets located along Uganda's borders with Sudan and the DR Congo. [what's going on in the DRC that we're not hearing about?!?!?! one day the Congo said they had found the virus in three corners of the country, and then we never heard anything else!]

Daily Monitor has learnt that the markets would be relocated to places which are at least 15 kilometres deep inside Uganda.

Authorities at the Arua-based Ajai Game Reserve have been placed on high alert to monitor possible influx of wild migratory birds along their traditional movement routes that includes the River Nile belt from Sudan.

The stringent measures follow a confirmation of the outbreak of the lethal bird flu in the South Sudan's capital Juba on September 6.

Dr Chris S. Rutabarika, the Assistant commissioner for disease control in the Ministry of Agriculture on Thursday led a team of technocrats from the Food Agricultural Organisation to interface with border district leaders in Arua to avert the looming Avian Influenza attack.

The District Veterinary Officer, Dr Victor Gordon Toa, yesterday said bus operators have been directed not to carry passengers together with poultry as has been the practice on the Arua-Kaya-Yei-Juba route. [it almost sounds like you can guarantee that whatever's in Juba is in Uganda too, doesn't it?]

"We have told those people that if they see a carcass of any wild bird, they should immediately report to us or any relevant government branch [so we can get rid of it as well as you]," Toa said.

He said the technical field staff had intensified information, education and communication campaign as a strategy to sensitise the masses on preventive and containment measures for the deadly H4N1 virus. [do you think that's why Uganda can't find it in their own country, but all their neighbors can find it? maybe they're looking for the wrong virus?]

Early this year, the government equipped its laboratory with a bird flu-testing machine after the east African country was thrown into panic when birds and poultry died of suspected avian flu in several districts. [but they were negative, right?] Bird flu is a highly infectious disease in birds, which may through constant contact passes onto humans.

 

[Siam]

Re: Ugandan gov't issues bird flu alert

Re: Ugandan gov't issues bird flu alert

Uganda: Bird Flu Threat Nearer Home


New Vision (Kampala)

September 19, 2006
Posted to the web September 20, 2006

Fred Ouma
Kampala

A POSSIBLE outbreak of the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza (bird flu) in Uganda is now real, public health experts have warned. On September 5, authorities in southern Sudan confirmed the presence of the deadly virus in poultry in the capital city, Khartoum as well as Juba, 180km from the Uganda boarder.

It can kill 100% of the domesticated birds in a very short time. Worse still, the H5N1 strain easily mutates into a form that can be transmitted to human beings.

Five large poultry farms were destroyed north of Khartoum, and tens of thousands of birds have been killed, authorities said. One egg merchant in Khartoum, Hassab Al Rasoul, said people had stopped buying his products, even at discounted prices. In neighbouring Egypt, four people have died of bird flu in recent weeks. The H5N1 strain of bird flu has been confirmed in several African countries including Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Burkina Faso.

The World Health Organisation has reported 190 human cases of bird flu worldwide - more than 100 of them fatal - and the strain has forced the slaughter of millions of birds as the disease has spread from Asia to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Uganda's threat

The warning comes at a time when many Ugandans are rushing to Southern Sudan, especially Juba, for business opportunities.

Although Uganda has not reported a single incidence, health experts believe the increased traffic flow to and from the Southern Sudan elevates the country's chance of being slapped by the highly infectious virus.

Dr. Sam Okware, the commissioner for community health and chairman of the National Task Force on Birdflu, said Juba, being a two-hour drive from the Ugandan border, makes it possible for the deadly virus to easily spread across into Uganda.

A tray of eggs reportedly costs about sh18,000 in Juba. So, Ugandan traders are flocking Juba with poultry products. Okware says the problem is that materials like trays and vehicles can bring in the virus.

Uganda is particularly considered at risk due to the close proximity between poultry and human beings on small farms such as the affected homesteads in Juba.

Experts also believe that Uganda's other risk factors include many water bodies and its location in the western rift valley, which are sanctuaries for migratory birds responsible for the spread of the disease.

"Avian influenza is a recognised trans-boundary disease. Being in the rift valley, which is a migratory flyway, is a definite risk," said the assistant commissioner for disease control in the Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Chris Rutebarika, who is also leading two teams of experts in the border areas of West Nile and Acholi.

Experts intervene

The teams are in Northern Uganda to help border districts put up rapid response mechanism in the event of an outbreak.

Six more rapid response teams from the agriculture ministry have been strengthened to give support to other "higher-risk" districts bordering water bodies.

Already six species of migratory birds have been cited at Queen Elizabeth National Park, instilling more fears that the risky birds could be returning into the country. Uganda lies on major migratory routes of birds moving to southern Africa from Europe and West Africa.

"We are closely monitoring them (the birds)," said Dr. Patrick Atimnedi of the Uganda wildlife Authority. "We have set up eight special sites to pick samples."

Last month, over 40 samples collected from various parts of the country were analysed at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe and found negative.

"There is yet no cause for alarm," said Dr. Robert Downing, a researcher with UVRI, adding that tests were still being conducted on the carcasses.
The Government has warned business and border communities against importing any poultry or poultry products. "Authorities at the borders should assist in implementing it," said Dr. Nicholas Kauta, the commissioner for livestock at the agriculture ministry.

Okware said the restrictions in the surveillance zone are likely to be in place for several weeks, but would last for longer if other cases were found.

"We also plan to have a buffer zone around Nebbi district to allow active search and we intend to set up a site for random sampling and testing at Karuma Bridge," he said.

Paul Kagwa, the health ministry spokesperson, said a communication strategy had been developed in Luo, Luganda, Ateso and Runyakitara to raise public awareness about the disease.

Okware said in the event of an outbreak, compensation price for farmers whose birds would be destroyed to prevent further spread of the disease, was yet be negotiated.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200609200179.html
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[Sharpe]

Re: SUDAN - Bird flu case confirmed [in poultry] in Juba

http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200609200187.html
Onek Warns Traders of Bird Flu

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
September 19, 2006
Posted to the web September 20, 2006

By Vision Reporter
Kampala

Ugandan traders doing business in southern Sudan not to eat chicken while there following the outbreak of bird flu in Juba, animal industry minister Hilary Onek has warned.

Recently, the Ministry of health confirmed and outbreak of bird flu in Juba.

"For those of you who are doing business in southern Sudan when you cross there don't eat chicken and don't allow chicken from there to enter Uganda," Onek said on Saturday during a meeting with Kitgum district leaders, charity workers, the prime minister and other ministers at the district council hall.

Traders from central, eastern and northern Uganda are doing business in southern Sudan dealing in items like beer, matooke, tomatoes, cabbages, chicken, soda and fish.

Onek said there was need for sensitisation of the districts bordering southern Sudan.

 

[Sharpe]

Re: SUDAN - Bird flu case confirmed [in poultry] in Juba

Most of these articles say pretty much exactly the same thing, but it's a great resource nevertheless to have them all in one place.


http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200609200226.html
New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
September 19, 2006
Posted to the web September 20, 2006

By Henry Mukasa
Juba

TRADE in chicken has been banned to check the spread of bird flu that is reported in Juba, the Southern Sudan ministry of animal resources and fisheries has announced.

The director general of animal resources, Dr Akol, on Monday said live birds, including chicken and ducks, could not be taken into and out of Juba.

"We are banning live birds from being taken out of Juba. That is one way of stopping the spread of the disease," Akol announced.

He was appearing on a live talk-show on Capital FM Juba.

Akol said there were messages designed to warn the public on the dangers of the virus.

He said the Juba Avian Influenza Task Force had been set up to lead the onslaught against the disease that has the potential of wiping out an entire stock of birds.

Adverts are running on radio stations in Juba warning the residents of the disease.

"Bird flu is in Juba. It kills chicken and ducks. It can be dangerous to people. Don't touch sick-looking birds. Keep birds out of your houses and don't let children play with them. Don't eat ill-health looking birds until further notice," one such advert warns.

 

[Sharpe]

Re: SUDAN - Bird flu case confirmed [in poultry] in Juba

Interesting to note where the parent poultry stocks come from. Also first mention of Queen Elizabeth Park. Wonder if any birds have died there. Most likely. They were dying in March in a different national park in Uganda.


Poultry Ban Still On - Govt

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
September 19, 2006
Posted to the web September 20, 2006

By Fred Ouma
Kampala

THE Government ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products is still in force, the chairman of the National Task Force on bird flu has said.

Dr. Sam Okware, the commissioner for community health in the health ministry, yesterday said the ban was a precautionary measure against the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

Okware said authorities at all entry points were asked to effectively implement the ban after Avian Influenza existence was confirmed in the Southern Sudanese capital of Juba, a two-hour drive from the Ugandan border.

On September 5, southern Sudan confirmed the presence of the deadly virus in poultry, with two other suspected cases of the virus potentially fatal to humans.

"An incident in Sudan strongly suggests that the virus could easily spread across.

subsequently, we have directed border authorities, particularly those with Sudan and DR Congo, to effect the ban on poultry except parent stock from the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium," said Okware.

He, however, said chances of any human contracting the virus were "extraordinary low" in the event of an outbreak.

Okware said increased traffic flow to and from Sudan elevated Uganda's risk of being slapped by the highly infectious virus.

Dr. Nicholas Kauta, the commissioner for livestock in the agriculture ministry, said a buffer zone was set up around Nebbi district.

Migratory birds have been cited at the Queen Elizabeth Park instilling fears that the birds, hugely blamed for harbouring the disease, could be returning into the country, said Dr. Patrick Atimnedi of the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Uganda tests dead birds for avian flu
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Samples of dead birds found in a national park in western Uganda were sent to a newly installed lab for tests of avian flu, the state-owned newspaper reported Wednesday.

The dead birds found in Lake Mburo National Park were sent to Entebbe Virus Research Institute, 40 km north of Kampala, for bird flu tests Tuesday, an official told New Vision daily.

Nicholas Kauta, the co-chairman of the national task force for bird/Avian flu, could not ascertain the number of the dead birds but said some samples of egrets had been submitted for testing.

Kauta, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology in the Agriculture Ministry, said the government and other stakeholders were preparing for any eventuality.

"Although we have not had anything unusual, we are not about to relax. We have extensive surveillance programs to prevent an outbreak by establishing the truth," Kauta said.

The government has stocked an influenza drug and acquired a machine to test bird flu which can release the results in five hours.

Besides an impartial ban on poultry and its products, the Ugandan government has put veterinary staff across the country, especially on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on full alert.

Four African countries are now known to have been hit by the virus which has killed nearly 100 people worldwide.

Since the first bird flu outbreak in Africa in Nigeria, only Egypt has diagnosed human cases, including one death. Other countries affected by the virus are Niger and Cameroon.