Nigeria preparing for outbreak of deadly bird flu

Nigeria: EU Launches Surveillance On Bird Flu


Daily Champion (Lagos)

September 21, 2006
Posted to the web September 21, 2006

Malachy Uzendu
Abuja

ONCERTED efforts to combat the deadly strain of HSN Avian Influenza, otherwise known as 'bird flu' will be stepped up today with the launch of a surveillance programme aimed at bridging the gap associated with the disease.

United Nations Childrens' Fund (UNICEF) in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, said the primary aim of the surveillance programme is to "bridge the huge gap in federal and state reporting on the bird flu."

The statement cited an unnamed laboratory study which indicated that as at today, "40 local government areas in 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja have confirmed the presence of the influenza.

"Although no deaths have been reported in Nigeria, the global figure for death arising from the influenza as at September is 144 deaths from 247 AI human infections."

Based on this information, UNICEF will today launch the surveillance at the United Nations office, Abuja, where the Agriculture minister and UN Resident Co-ordinator will address the press.