Confirmation Of H5N1 Avian Influenza In Nigeria Marks Further Spread Of Virus

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Main Category: Bird Flu / Avian Flu
Also Included In: Flu / Cold / SARS;  Public Health
Article Date: 09 Feb 2006 - 15:00 PDT

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As laboratories in Italy confirm the presence of bird flu H5N1 in northern Nigeria, we see a further indication of how this virus spreads around the globe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said all evidence indicates the virus does not yet spread easily from birds to humans. The WHO added that careful monitoring of the situation is warranted.

Experts are concerned at how quickly the H5N1 bird flu virus strain can spread and become firmly establish in poultry.

However, transmission from bird to human is still not easy. Over 150 million birds have died over the last two years as a result of bird flu infection. Only 160 or so humans have become infected (of which about half have died). If the virus did spread easily from bird to human, the number of human infections would have been much, much higher.

The outbreak in Nigeria is located in the northern state of Kaduna, in a large commercial farm that kept thousands of battery chickens (battery chickens = chickens kept in small cages).

Apparently, the outbreak started over a month ago. Experts are trying to establish whether the outbreak has spread from farm poultry to domestic poultry. The neighbouring province of Kano has reported sick birds, confirmation of bird flu infection is still pending.

It is important for authorities in Nigeria to explain to people how to reduce the risk of human infection. Close contact with sick or dead poultry raises the risk of human infection significantly, as does slaughtering, de-feathering (plucking), butchering, and preparation for consumption of diseased poultry.

Experts at the WHO's offices in Harare, Zimbabwe, held an emergency meeting to asses the situation and plan a response.

We still don't know how the poultry in Nigeria became infected. The infected farm lies along the flight route of birds migrating from central Asia.

After a full sequence information of the virus is made (expected in a few days) we will have a better idea of where this outbreak came from.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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