The outbreak of avian influenza in Nigeria that emerged last Wednesday (February 8) has probably been simmering for weeks without being detected, increasing the risk the disease has spread to neighboring countries, according to a senior scientist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, experts say they don't believe that migratory birds brought the virus to Africa.Nigerian authorities notified the World Organization for Animal Health about the outbreak last Monday after tens of thousands of chickens in battery cages died in the northern state of Kaduna. It was confirmed as H5N1 on Wednesday, and in following days, officials reported worrying outbreaks in two neighboring states. This week (February 13), the country's health minister Eyitayo Lambo reportedly said that officials were examining suspected H5N1 cases in a further 5 states. If confirmed this would mean that 8 of Nigeria's 36 states were affected. The expanding crisis comes amidst concerns...
The Scientist were urgedscreening possible human casesWetlands InternationalThe Scientist Stephen.pincock@journalist.co.ukThe Scientisthttp://www.the-scientist.com/news/display/22989/Press Associationhttp://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=230502006http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_060210.htmAssociated Presshttp://www.canada.com/topics/news/agriculture/story.html?id=09f5bbe9-32ac-4d04-8ced-946e92dd7ee8&k=62263http://www.wetlands.org/news.aspx?ID=bb47207c-3109-4d86-826a-d438ada02b83Editor's note:a letter
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