Voodoo priests at risk as bird flu hits Africa

COTONOU, Benin – Priests who tear out the throats of live chickens in ritual sacrifices to Voodoo gods may risk contracting bird flu after the deadly virus reached Africa.

Voodoo priests in Benin, which borders with Nigeria where an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 virus was found in poultry last week, sacrifice animals to invoke blessings or favours from various gods. Officials in the tiny West African country which is the home of the ancient religion say spreading the word about bird flu may help save the lives of Voodoo devotees.”We have identified the groups at risk, including fetishists and followers of the Voodoo cult who sometimes kill animals with their teeth,” Guillaume Hounsou-ve, director of livestock at Benin’s Agriculture Ministry, told Reuters in an interview.Sheep, goats and other animals are sometimes used for sacrifice, but the favourite offering is a chicken.- Nampa-ReutersOfficials in the tiny West African country which is the home of the ancient religion say spreading the word about bird flu may help save the lives of Voodoo devotees.”We have identified the groups at risk, including fetishists and followers of the Voodoo cult who sometimes kill animals with their teeth,” Guillaume Hounsou-ve, director of livestock at Benin’s Agriculture Ministry, told Reuters in an interview.Sheep, goats and other animals are sometimes used for sacrifice, but the favourite offering is a chicken.- Nampa-Reuters