As the new migratory season approaches, the government has updated its strategy to contain the threat of avian flu, reports Reem Leila During a visit to Egypt last week, David Nabarro, UN coordinator for avian and human influenza, praised measures taken by the government to combat the avian flu virus. In a press statement Nabarro noted that Egypt had dealt transparently with the crisis, telling the public the truth about the potentially deadly H5N1 virus and providing a model for other countries to follow, and promised to provide Egypt with medical assistance for the treatment of human bird flu infections. The Ministry of Health has updated its action plan to contain the spread of the virus which could gain strength during the next migratory season. Under the three-stage plan ministry staff will remain on continuous alert; NGO volunteers will be trained in techniques to contain avian flu, and a campaign will be launched to raise public awareness. "The plan involves increased contacts between governorates, coordination with health officials, and the provision of clothing and equipment to shield them from the virus," said Health Ministry spokesman Abdel-Rahman Shaheen. Leaflets will be distributed explaining the causes of the virus and ways to minimise the possibility of infection. A specialised centre at the Ministry of Health will follow up all developments. "The plan also includes precautionary measures such as increasing stocks of Tamiflu. Some 2.2 million courses of the drug are to be distributed among hospitals, while more than 4,000 pieces of artificial respiratory equipment are being imported for those who contract the disease," said Shaheen. No new cases of human infection have been reported. Of 720 samples taken from 50 different species of domestic and wild migrant birds around the lakes of Al-Manzala, Al-Borulous and Nasser, as well as in the governorates of Port Said, Damietta, Daqahleya, Kafr El-Sheikh, Cairo, Fayoum, Sohag, Suez and Aswan, no positive results were obtained, suggesting, says Shaheen, that the first flocks of migrant birds heading north pose no danger. "The same high level of monitoring will continue until the beginning of the new season next September," he said, adding that 4,210 samples were examined during the 2005/2006 migration season. According to ministry plans the extra measures to protect people include the import of seven tonnes of H5N1 and H5N2 vaccines from Mexico, which have already arrived, and which will be supplemented by vaccine shipments from European countries. Ahmed Tawfiq, head of the Egyptian Veterinary Medical Service (EVMS), says the EVMS will be working with the Ministry of Agriculture on supervising the vaccination of poultry against avian flu. Specialised committees will be formed to inspect chicken farms all over Egypt and take samples to guarantee that the vaccination programme is being followed. "Poultry breeders and farmers will also be provided with protective clothing and equipment," Tawfiq added. During the past month Egypt imported 11,000 live chicks from the US, 13,000 from the Netherlands, and similar quantities from Britain and Germany in an attempt to boost the poultry industry. "The imported chicks were tested for bird flu, and all the results were negative," revealed Tawfiq. A conference will be held on 13 July to showcase the success of the Armed Forces in combating the H5N1 virus while a second is scheduled for 29 August to assess the strategies adopted by different Middle Eastern countries in confronting the virus.
