African bird flu 'set to spread'

The first case of H5N1 bird flu in Africa is likely to be followed quickly by others, creating a "very severe situation", the UN's top expert says.

Dr David Nabarro of the World Health Organizaton (WHO) told the BBC the virus "might be quite widespread".

 

It comes after the strain deadly to humans was detected on a farm in Kaduna in northern Nigeria.

Officials are investigating whether poultry in other states have also died from the virus.

Dr Nabarro said the WHO was anticipating further outbreaks in other parts of Africa.

"If it's in Nigeria it might also be in other countries that are less well-equipped."

He said governments and ordinary people would have to take "very, very strong precautions" to protect themselves and stop the disease spreading.

"We've got to have all countries, particularly in West Africa, being very vigilant for bird die-offs, which are the indicator of bird flu being in the population."

Experts have been sent to the commercial chicken farm in Jaji, in Kaduna state, where bird flu was found.

 

Authorities there said they had taken measures to stamp out the outbreak by disinfecting the affected premises, imposing a quarantine and putting restrictions on animal movements.

Dr Nabarro, who is leading the UN's response to bird flu, said reports from Nigeria's ministry of agriculture suggested bird flu may also have been found in the northern state of Kano and further south in Jos.

Early detection

 

The BBC's Alex Last in Lagos, Nigeria, says an outbreak of bird flu could have devastating consequences in a country where millions of people rear chickens as a basic source of income.

Experts have long feared that if H5N1 reached Africa, it could quickly take hold and spread out of control.

Dr Alex Thiermann of the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health told the BBC that Africa's "veterinary infrastructures are very weak".

"And it is essential for the containment of this disease to have the ability to early detect and take rapid action. And therefore we feel that Nigeria and the other countries that are at risk need help very quickly."