Birds |
Government is in
the process of mounting a risk based survey of the wild bird population
to establish possible primary source of the Avian Influenza, with an
external international specialist support team expected in the country
this week for backup services.
This follows an Avian Influenza outbreak
early this month, which left thousands of chickens at Irvine's Private
Limited's white meat and egg sub sector under quarantine.
The highly
pathogenic virus killed 7 000 chickens and the company had to
de-populate by slaughtering an additional 142 000 birds to prevent the
spread of the disease.
Ministry of
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development's Department of
Livestock and Veterinary Services principal director Dr Unesu
Ushewokunze-Obatolu on Sunday said the department was continuing on its
emergency response.
"Plans are advanced
to mount a risk based survey of the wild bird populations in search for
a possible primary source of the outbreak," she said.
"The veterinary
authority continues on its emergency response by reinforcing the
quarantine measures, monitoring the situation through intensified
surveillance and communication with the public."
Dr
Ushewokunze-Obatolu said the emergency response would continue until
there was satisfaction that the Avian Influenza virus could no longer be
picked up by birds, in line with provisions of the World Organisation
for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Code.Consideration will then be made to recommend a fresh re-stocking.
"A lot depends on
the rigour and extent of the responses by veterinary services and the
industry, in convincing neighbouring countries and trade partners," said
Dr Ushewokunze-Obatolu.
"No outbreak
outside the three points within the Irvine's poultry establishment has
been detected as yet. Still there are no human infections associated
with this outbreak to date. The public and producers of poultry still
need to assist with vigilance, reporting any unusual observations in
wild and domestic birds to Veterinary Services as soon as they are
made."
Dr
Ushewokunze-Obatolu advised poultry producers to adhere to stringent
bio-security management plans and measures and to desist from moving
sick or dying birds.
The outbreak of
avian influenza involved the serotype H5 N8 of the Avian Influenza
virus, which had been spreading in a second wave around the world since
2010.
The virus has been
re-introduced to Europe from Asia, where it remained in continuous
circulation and was detected in Uganda, among other countries in Africa,
earlier this year.
Influenza viruses
are highly contagious and, therefore, spread very quickly in susceptible
populations. The viruses occur naturally in wild water birds, but the
they change dynamically and highly virulent strains can occur from time
to time, causing major human and animal illness and death.
Unlike other
serotypes which have caused concern in past years, H5 N8 wherever it has
occurred recently, has not shown any risk to humans. Symptoms of avian
influenza include quick illness and sudden deaths of the chickens.
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