Kenya alerted by outbreak in neighbouring Sudan
October 18th, 2006
Kenyan officials have issued a warning, as a recent outbreak of the highly pathogenic bird flu virus has been reported in southern Sudan. Testing has begun on people and poultry in the border regions neighbouring this country. Along with surveillance measures, Kenya has also banned poultry and poultry products imports from Sudan. This is the time when wild birds are migrating away from the northern hemisphere into African countries, to escape the cold season. This increases the danger of a spread of the virus into new countries not previously affected by the disease. Kenya has prepared itself by setting up 11 centers in major hospitals, where patients with flu symptoms are being monitored closely to detect any avian influenza case.