KABUL: 455 BIRDS TESTED

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   Efforts against bird flu insufficient - FAO

[This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations>

KABUL, 22 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - The UN�s Food and Agriculture Organization 

(FAO) has warned that efforts by Afghan authorities and the donor 

community to mitigate the risk of a potential outbreak of avian influenza, 

otherwise known as bird flu, have been insufficient.

�With cases of the deadly disease detected in Iran and India, Afghanistan 

is practically surrendered," Serge Verniau, FAO representative in 

Afghanistan, said at a press conference at the Kala-e-Hashmat Khan 

Lake, outside the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday. "Today we can 

say that an outbreak of the disease among birds in Afghanistan is 

virtually unavoidable."

Further underscoring that point, he warned that the country was more at 

risk than ever and Afghanistan needed strict action before avian flu hit 

the country.

"[The> FAO reiterates its call that emergency action, which is estimated to 

cost US $1.5 million, should be taken without delay," the FAO official 

maintained.

According to the FAO, the country's veterinary services have fallen into 

decay after more than two decades of violence and years of oversight, 

despite the fact that about 85 percent of the country's 30 million 

inhabitants live in close proximity with poultry.

The FAO has called for immediate action in strengthening animal disease 

surveillance and laboratory testing; communication and public awareness 

to safeguard the health of poultry farmers and their families; as well as 

preparing an effective contingency plan for emergency procedures to 

contain a possible outbreak.

To date, avian influenza, a highly contagious viral disease affecting 

mainly chickens, turkeys, ducks and other birds, has killed some 80 

people worldwide since it was first reported in 2003, mostly in Asia.

Experts fear the H5N1 virus that is deadly to humans could precipitate a 

global flu pandemic if it mutates into an easily transmissible form.

The FAO, with the support of Italy, through a regional project, has 

reinforced the capacities of a diagnostic laboratory at the department of 

animal health within the Ministry of Agriculture in Kabul. Initial tests have 

been carried out and are continuing, according to the FAO in Kabul.

�We have tested 455 suspicious samples of birds during the last three 

weeks and further testing is also under way in an FAO reference 

laboratory in Italy,� Dr Abdul Habib Nawroz, an FAO medical expert, 

said.EXCERPT

Asia: Incidence and spread of Avian Influenza (H5N1)

 cu_no=2&item_no=73998&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23" > 

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&it 

em_no=73998&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23 

Edited by Rick

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: KABUL: 455 BIRDS TESTED Posted: February 23 2006 at 5:47am
	Efforts against bird flu insufficient - FAO [This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations> KABUL, 22 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - The UN�s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that efforts by Afghan authorities and the donor community to mitigate the risk of a potential outbreak of avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, have been insufficient. �With cases of the deadly disease detected in Iran and India, Afghanistan is practically surrendered," Serge Verniau, FAO representative in Afghanistan, said at a press conference at the Kala-e-Hashmat Khan Lake, outside the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday. "Today we can say that an outbreak of the disease among birds in Afghanistan is virtually unavoidable." Further underscoring that point, he warned that the country was more at risk than ever and Afghanistan needed strict action before avian flu hit the country. "[The> FAO reiterates its call that emergency action, which is estimated to cost US $1.5 million, should be taken without delay," the FAO official maintained. According to the FAO, the country's veterinary services have fallen into decay after more than two decades of violence and years of oversight, despite the fact that about 85 percent of the country's 30 million inhabitants live in close proximity with poultry. The FAO has called for immediate action in strengthening animal disease surveillance and laboratory testing; communication and public awareness to safeguard the health of poultry farmers and their families; as well as preparing an effective contingency plan for emergency procedures to contain a possible outbreak. To date, avian influenza, a highly contagious viral disease affecting mainly chickens, turkeys, ducks and other birds, has killed some 80 people worldwide since it was first reported in 2003, mostly in Asia. Experts fear the H5N1 virus that is deadly to humans could precipitate a global flu pandemic if it mutates into an easily transmissible form. The FAO, with the support of Italy, through a regional project, has reinforced the capacities of a diagnostic laboratory at the department of animal health within the Ministry of Agriculture in Kabul. Initial tests have been carried out and are continuing, according to the FAO in Kabul. �We have tested 455 suspicious samples of birds during the last three weeks and further testing is also under way in an FAO reference laboratory in Italy,� Dr Abdul Habib Nawroz, an FAO medical expert, said.EXCERPT Asia: Incidence and spread of Avian Influenza (H5N1) cu_no=2&item_no=73998&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23" > http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&it em_no=73998&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23 Edited by Rick

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 23 2006 at 6:41am


Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 23 2006 at 6:45am
	1986 is the earliest date I see and when they do reports they say it could take years for this to mutate..well I think we have had our few years..

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 23 2006 at 7:24am
	Great maps Rick, thanks. Not comforting though.