Uganda: Tests Dead birds for Avian Flu

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Uganda tests dead birds for avian flu

Samples of dead birds found in a national park in western Uganda were sent to a newly installed lab for tests of avian flu, the state-owned newspaper reported Wednesday.

The dead birds found in Lake Mburo National Park were sent to Entebbe Virus Research Institute, 40 km north of Kampala, for bird flu tests Tuesday, an official told New Vision daily.

Nicholas Kauta, the co-chairman of the national task force for bird/Avian flu, could not ascertain the number of the dead birds but said some samples of egrets had been submitted for testing.

Kauta, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology in the Agriculture Ministry, said the government and other stakeholders were preparing for any eventuality.

"Although we have not had anything unusual, we are not about to relax. We have extensive surveillance programs to prevent an outbreak by establishing the truth," Kauta said.

The government has stocked an influenza drug and acquired a machine to test bird flu which can release the results in five hours.

Besides an impartial ban on poultry and its products, the Ugandan government has put veterinary staff across the country, especially on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on full alert.

    http://english.people.com.cn/200603/29/eng20060329_254410.html

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Uganda: Tests Dead birds for Avian Flu Posted: April 04 2006 at 2:13pm
	Uganda tests dead birds for avian flu Samples of dead birds found in a national park in western Uganda were sent to a newly installed lab for tests of avian flu, the state-owned newspaper reported Wednesday. The dead birds found in Lake Mburo National Park were sent to Entebbe Virus Research Institute, 40 km north of Kampala, for bird flu tests Tuesday, an official told New Vision daily. Nicholas Kauta, the co-chairman of the national task force for bird/Avian flu, could not ascertain the number of the dead birds but said some samples of egrets had been submitted for testing. Kauta, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology in the Agriculture Ministry, said the government and other stakeholders were preparing for any eventuality. "Although we have not had anything unusual, we are not about to relax. We have extensive surveillance programs to prevent an outbreak by establishing the truth," Kauta said. The government has stocked an influenza drug and acquired a machine to test bird flu which can release the results in five hours. Besides an impartial ban on poultry and its products, the Ugandan government has put veterinary staff across the country, especially on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on full alert. http://english.people.com.cn/200603/29/eng20060329_254410.html