H5N1 Africa

In February of 2006, Nigeria, Africa has reported its first case of bird flu. Are migrating birds to blame, or was it the poultry? On February 5, 2006 the Nigerian authorities informed the health officials of this outbreak of bird flu on a farm in Kaduna. Luckily no human cases have been confirmed although thousands among thousands of birds died on the farm. The poultry industry completely stopped shipping poultry in order to do an investigation and track contaminated poultry as well control the outbreak in order to protect humans for being infected with the h5n1 virus. Nigerian officials and the WHO (World Health Organisation) have ordered people to avoid contact with birds, especially those who have been near sick birds. Its important that the people of Nigeria and other countries in Africa are aware that this virus has arrived in Africa and how important it is that proper measures are being taken in order to prevent the spread of this virus. It has been difficult for Africa to be sure which birds have been infected by the h5n1 virus due to the fact that Africa is home to millions of birds and many of them die from starvation and poor nutrition, so the bird flu may have gone under seen and African health officials are doing everything in there power to spread knowledge on the bird flu and give citizens the information they need in order to prevent contracting the virus. Avoiding contact with wild birds is crucial.