The Hindu Business Line : New strain of bird flu virus reported in Africa

NEW YORK: A new strain of avian flu virus, hitherto unreported in Africa and similar to the ones identified last year in Italy, Afghanistan and Iran has been identified in the continent for the first time in Nigeria.

Tests conducted by Nigeria and by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) show the new bird flu virus strain -- which is similar to strains identified in Italy, Afghanistan and Iran - is genetically distinct from other forms detected in Nigerian o utbreaks in 2006 and 2007.

“It seems unlikely that wild birds have carried the strain to Africa, since the last migration of wild birds from Europe and Central Asia to Africa occurred in September 2007 and this year's southerly migration into Africa has not really started yet,” sa id Mr Scott Newman, International Wildlife Coordinator of FAO's Animal Health Service.

Mr Newman pointed to other avenues the virus could have taken to Nigeria, such as international trade or illegal and unreported movement of poultry. The FAO has called for stepped up surveillance to monitor the virus and keep track of its spread. - PTI

Prev: Sical’s second rake commences operations on Chennai-Delhi sector

Business Line | NUS Index |