Bird flu in Ethiopia

Officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, country situated in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Eritrea (N), Djibouti (NE), Somalia (E), Kenya (S), Sudan (W). It is one of the few countries to have maintainted its independece during the scramble for Africa. However it is one of the poorest nations in Africa, relying heavily on international aid.

Ethiopia approves prevention plan against bird flu

Friday, June 30th, 2006

Ethiopian authorities have approved a three-year multi-million dollar project to reinforce the country’s ability to fight against a potential deadly bird flu outbreak in the future.

The plan is worth around 98 million euros and will ensure setting up surveillance systems, particular attention to national and regional response, as well as increasing public awareness to the problem and providing the necessary drugs and equipment.

While Ethiopia has not recorded a single case of the dangerous H5N1 virus yet, it is considered to be at risk after the disease appeared in both poultry and human in neighbouring Sudan.

It is only the second country on the continent to be faced with the infection, however Eastern African countries were kept under close surveillance as they host a large number of migratory birds which could have easily brought the virus from elsewhere. Egypt has only reported 5 human fatalities so far, but a fast spread of the virus could see the death toll rise in other African countries as well.

Posted in Ethiopia