ETHIOPIA: Dead birds tested for bird flu
[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations>
ADDIS ABABA, 8 Dec 2005 (IRIN) - Ethiopian authorities have launched an
investigation into the recent deaths of nonmigratory birds to rule out the
possibility of an avian flu outbreak in the Horn of Africa nation.
Dead birds from the Somali region in eastern Ethiopia and the capital city
of Addis Ababa have undergone initial tests, but further analysis is
needed, officials said on Friday.
"Before we can rule out avian flu we have to complete our investigations,"
said Dr Seleshi Zewdie, the head of the animal health department at the
agriculture ministry.
Scientists had carried out preliminary tests on eight birds from three
different locations. Zewdie said that additional results are expected later
next week, but Ethiopia needs proper testing kits before a final
determination can be made.
The birds are being tested for the virulent H5N1 strain of bird flu, which
has devastated Asia's poultry flocks and killed at least 62 people since
2003.
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