Bird migration has brought news of more avian flu infections. Reem Leila looks at measures to prevent another outbreak Relevant authorities are digging in their heels during this year's bird migration season in preparation for a new outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain. Last week, the government announced that new infections of the lethal virus were found in domestic fowl in the governorates of Damietta, Qalioubiya and Giza. "Specialised teams are carrying out massive culling of all infected birds," announced Abdel-Rahman Shaheen, spokesman for the Ministry of Health. Samples from people in direct contact with infected birds were also taken, but all tested negative for the virus, according to Shaheen. "So far, we do not have any infections among humans," he said. Egypt has had the largest number of cases of avian flu outside of Asia, and there is still concern that the virus could spread across the region. Egypt reported the last human case of H5N1 last May. Out of the 14 human cases of avian influenza which were reported since mid- March, six proved to be fatal while the other eight recovered after being treated. Meanwhile, the Supreme National Committee Combating Bird Flu (SNCCBF), created to follow up on bird flu cases and headed by Health Minister Hatem El-Gebali, is currently reviewing all measures taken to combat the disease. Earlier this year, the SNCCBF issued a decree banning the common practice of poultry breeding on rooftops, with a fine ranging from LE1,000 to LE10,000 for violators. "This penalty is now being strictly applied on indoor fowl breeders as well," Shaheen said. Vaccination campaigns are targeting poultry farms throughout the country, with veterinary teams, in cooperation with the police, inoculating poultry bred in rural homes. According to Ahmed Tawfiq, head of the General Organisation for Veterinary Service (GOVS), nearly five million birds have been vaccinated until now, and another 10 million will be inoculated in the coming few days. Moreover, 50 million doses of the H5N1 vaccine will be available for poultry in rural areas during the 2006/2007 fiscal year. Hassan El-Bushra, regional advisor for the World Health Organisation (WHO), stated that although a large outbreak is unlikely, the new cases of bird flu do present a health risk for humans. While Egypt has been aggressively vaccinating poultry, a recurrence was bound to happen, according to El-Bushra. "It's going to stay in the country for at least three years until all fowl are vaccinated," he predicted. "It will take some time." El-Bushra noted that Egypt learned much from the last outbreak, and is very well prepared to deal efficiently with the virus. Also, there is a large supply of the antibiotic Tamiflu, unlike during the last outbreak. Tamiflu is believed to effectively fight bird flu in humans. "There is currently 1,250,000 cases of Tamiflu, a figures which is expected to double by the end of this year," revealed El-Bushra. According to Shaheen, all hospitals were put on high alert prior to the start of the bird migration season. Joint teams from the ministries of health, environment and agriculture were formed to monitor bird flu cases. He added that random samples are systematically taken from birds in various villages and farms so that the disease could be contained easily. On another front, the Ministry of Health recently signed an agreement with its counterpart in Thailand to provide training for the control of bird flu, and the production of anti-viral medicines for Egyptian doctors and related specialists. Cooperation between the two countries, both of which witnessed outbreaks of the disease in 2006, will begin later this year. Shaheen further explained that Thailand will supervise a short-term training programme for Egyptian medical personnel, and will send doctors and nurses to help Egypt in combating the deadly virus. In a news conference last week, the Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation Amin Abaza announced that the bird flu virus is under control thanks to the vaccination of all poultry, except those bred in homes. Abaza explained that Egypt will continue importing poultry for a limited period to meet market demand and control prices for the benefit of consumers.
