|
Zim reports bird flu outbreak
08/12/2005 09:56 - (SA)
Harare - Zimbabwe has suspended ostrich and poultry exports due to an outbreak of bird flu at two ostrich farms in the southern Matabeleland province, a state daily reported on Thursday.
"Zimbabwe has temporarily suspended ostrich and poultry exports following the detection of the avian influenza type H5 virus in ostriches at two farms in the Nyamandlovu and Bubi districts," The Herald said.
The virus strain detected at two farms is similar to the one that was found in ostriches in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces in neighbouring South Africa, said the report.
All ostrich farms in the country have been placed under quarantine, said the director of veterinary services Stuart Hargreaves quoted by The Herald.
Carried by migratory birds
To date, the bird flu outbreak remains contained to the two ostrich farms and no poultry farms have tested positive, according to the report.
Zimbabwe went on high alert in October following warnings from the World Health Organisation of the possible arrival of a virulent strain of bird flu in Africa.
Health Minister David Parirenyatwa said his ministry established a task force "to put in place all the necessary measures needed for the early detection of the influenza virus."
The deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza has killed some 60 people in Asia.
The WHO said migratory birds which are believed to have carried the virus to southeastern Europe in recent weeks, normally head towards Africa for the southern hemisphere summer.
The UN health agency said the impoverished continent's weak surveillance health care systems would hamper early detection of the bird flu virus.
- AFP
|
