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NIGERIA: SMUGGLERS IMPORT BIRD FLU February 10, 2006
Kizza Harajah
(SomaliNet) At least four farms have been reported to have bird flu in Nigeria. The Nigerian government puts all the blame for Nigeria’s being the first African country with the outbreak on smugglers. “The activities of illegal importers and smugglers of pets and birds brought the virus to Nigeria,†said Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, Adamu Bello.
The same is confirmed by The World Organization for Animal Health. “The virus was probably introduced by migratory birds. That's our working hypothesis,†said the organization’s director general, Bernard Vallat.
The fact that only birds have been affected so far is not consoling. It is likely that it will spread to people. It is also likely to spread to other countries. This is according to Vallat. In order to contain the calamity, all infected birds will be killed and the farmers compensated.
Previously, importing of birds from infected nations had been banned by the European Union.