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Govt takes measures to forestall avian flu
2008-04-29 18:48:14
By Hannah Mwandoloma and Hafsa Massati
The Prime Minister, Mizengo Pinda, has warned that, if cautionary measures are not taken immediately to prevent the bird flu epidemic from attacking the country, Tanzanians would be the losers both healthywise and economically.
Launching an action plan for the caution and prevention of avian influenza yesterday in Dar es Salaam, Pinda said many people would be affected by the disease because they depend on poultry farming for consumption and commerce.
``Surveys show that all chickens in the country are worth 200,000bn/- if one is selling at 4000/- . This however, excludes eggs. I can say that this business is very crucial economically,`` said Pinda.
He said apart from the economic aspect, the government had decided to launch the action plan to prevent the disease from entering the country since it was now in southern Sudan and could easily get into Uganda.
Pinda raised his concern, saying that bird flu can also be transmitted by human beings, adding that it was important to educate the public to ensure that the disease did not spread to Tanzania.
The Minister for Livestock Development and Fisheries, John Magufuli, said the government had banned poultry importation as one of the strategies to prevent bird flu from entering the country.
Magufuli assured Tanzanians that the disease is not yet in the country and the government with collaboration with United Nations agencies and other institutions are doing their best to take precautions to prevent it.
``We have our laboratory in Temeke that can test bird flu related disease in just a week, we do not have to take our samples abroad anymore.
So far 3000 samples have been tested negative, this means we are still safe,`` Magufuli concluded.
Dr. Stefan Wiktor, United States Embassy representative and the country Director of US Center for Disease Control said that US government is working closely with Tanzania in making sure that the disease is prevented.
United States Embassy yesterday donated 4500 protection kits.
According to World Organization for Animal Health avian influenza started in Hong Kong in 1997 and spread to over 60 countries including 11 countries in Africa.
East African countries face the threat that the disease may attack any time. It is now reported in Juba, South of Sudan, which borders Uganda and Kenya.
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