Yemen unable to combat bird flu... HELP.....

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   Yemen unable to combat bird flu and Rift Valley Fever, report says 

By: Ismail Al-Ghabri

SANA'A, Nov. 18, An official report revealed that Yemen is unable to fight possible outbreaks of the bird flu and Rift Valley Fever. 

The report, issued by the General Authority for Animal Resources in the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, showed that the general authority is unable to implement precautionary program measures to prevent a possible outbreak of these diseases. It also mentioned that the authority is unable to detect initial stages of the epidemics in order to implement control actions. The report attributes these problems to the lack of budget funds allocated to the operating management to carry out programs, although the Cabinet approved a project valued at YR 50 million, according to a 2007 ministerial decree. 

Moreover, a report issued on Nov. 11, 2007 confirmed the current emergence of bird flu and its expansion in nearby areas, especially throughout Saudi Arabia. According to the report, Yemen is one of the areas under threat of this disease. The report added that it is likely that the disease will spread, taking into consideration that there is vast poultry trading between the two countries, in addition to shared borders.

Ghaleb F. Al-Eryani, Director General of the Animal Resources Authority, criticized the statement released by the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, in which the latter confirmed that Yemen is free of the bird flu disease and is able to fight Rift Valley Fever. Ghaleb stated, "I wonder how the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation could release such a statement, though the surveillance process has stopped. We haven't conducted any further surveys."

Al-Eryani further added, "Yemen is involved in the World Bankâ€™s bird flu program. One million dollars was allocated to assist Yemen in preparing precautionary measures. Yemen also received aid from the U.S. to fight bird flu and the risk of infection.â€ Unfortunately, the donor countries have declared that if surveillance and veterinary services are not provided in Yemen, the aid will be withdrawn, according to the World Bank, adding, â€œIt has been four months since surveillance personnel halted its work. We know nothing about the current situation. We have presented a plan to the Ministers' Council. The Cabinet approved an operation valued at YR 50 million to start fighting these diseases. But unfortunately, nothing has been implemented regarding what the Cabinet approved." 

In case the disease emerges, it is possible that it will exterminate all poultry, causing the state to spend years bringing poultry back to the country. Billions of riyals will be lost, affecting the national economy. This disease may mutate and infect humans, which may cause a disaster of unprecedented dire consequences