Bird flu in Kenya

Latest news about bird flu in Kenya

Kenya vulnerable to possible outbreaks

Thursday, July 26th, 2007

Kenya’s Ministry of Health has given warnings that the country is prone to future avian influenza outbreaks, as the disease has been detected in several of the neighbouring regions. Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroon have all detected bird flu outbreaks, putting Kenya at risk as well. However, the Kenyan official has given reassurances that the administration has been working hard in the last two years for putting together a national task force to face the possibility of such a virus outbreak.

24 have reportedly been set up around the country, to detect any case of bird flu as early as possible. The border points are under close supervision for any signs of infected poultry entering the country. Kenya lies on the path of migratory birds routes from Europe to Asia.

Posted in Kenya

Kenya alerted by outbreak in neighbouring Sudan

Wednesday, 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.

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Kenya restricts poultry imports from Sudan

Tuesday, October 10th, 2006

The African country has placed a ban on imports of birds and poultry products coming from southern Sudan, after numerous cases of avian influenza were reported in the province of Juba of the neighbouring country. Local World Health Organization officials in Sudan have confirmed the bird flu cases, but say that no human infection has been reported as yet. Residents of several regions in Kenya have been alerted to take extra precaution measures against the disease. They have also been asked to report any suspicious cases of ill or dead birds to local health authorities. The veterinary department has started collecting blood samples from a number of birds in the area, which are to be sent at the Kenya Medical Research Institute for further analysis.

Posted in Kenya