Bird flu reaches region

NAMIBIA is keeping a close eye on its neighbour Zimbabwe after the detection of a mild strain of bird flu in that country 10 days ago.

Zimbabwe’s state-owned daily The Herald reported last week that the country has suspended all ostrich and poultry exports because of an outbreak of bird flu at two ostrich farms in the southern Matabeleland province. Zimbabwe has also placed all ostrich farms in the country under quarantine, the report stated, pending a national survey to establish the full extent of the outbreak.Namibia’s Acting Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Otto Huebschle, told The Namibian that Namibia had been informed of the situation in Zimbabwe.He said the country has a contingency plan ready in case of an outbreak, but there was no reason to panic yet.Huebschle said the virus found in Zimbabwe is not the H5N1 strain, known to be the most dangerous to humans as it is able to cross the species barrier, but a much lighter form, an N2.He said his department was awaiting the results of more tests conducted last week.”When in doubt, always be careful,” he said, “although at this moment I will abstain from making too big a fuss.”He added that there is no trade in ostriches between Namibia and Zimbabwe.In 2004, the H2N2 strain of the virus was detected in the Eastern and Western Cape in South Africa.This led to around 26 000 birds being culled in the country, and South Africa in September declared itself bird-flu free.According to medical doctor Bernard Haufiku, an outbreak of bird flu in Zimbabwe should be cause enough to raise the alert status “at least to second gear”.”If these cases are confirmed,” he said, “it could become an economic issue on top of a health issue.”He said investors could turn their backs on the country if appeared not to be doing enough to fend off an outbreak.Zimbabwe has also placed all ostrich farms in the country under quarantine, the report stated, pending a national survey to establish the full extent of the outbreak.Namibia’s Acting Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Otto Huebschle, told The Namibian that Namibia had been informed of the situation in Zimbabwe.He said the country has a contingency plan ready in case of an outbreak, but there was no reason to panic yet.Huebschle said the virus found in Zimbabwe is not the H5N1 strain, known to be the most dangerous to humans as it is able to cross the species barrier, but a much lighter form, an N2.He said his department was awaiting the results of more tests conducted last week.”When in doubt, always be careful,” he said, “although at this moment I will abstain from making too big a fuss.”He added that there is no trade in ostriches between Namibia and Zimbabwe.In 2004, the H2N2 strain of the virus was detected in the Eastern and Western Cape in South Africa.This led to around 26 000 birds being culled in the country, and South Africa in September declared itself bird-flu free.According to medical doctor Bernard Haufiku, an outbreak of bird flu in Zimbabwe should be cause enough to raise the alert status “at least to second gear”.”If these cases are confirmed,” he said, “it could become an economic issue on top of a health issue.”He said investors could turn their backs on the country if appeared not to be doing enough to fend off an outbreak.