Control of the Avian Influenza: Prospects bright for poultry farming in Cameroon ⁰

The Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries and the Minister of Public Health announce recently in Yaounde that: In the framework of the Control of the Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 declared at the Mvog-Betsi Poultry Farming Complex in Yaoundé on the 24 May 2016, the Government took measures to control the spreading of the disease and to monitor the disease as well as people at risk. A decision of the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries declaring the infection was signed on the 26 May 2016. International organizations were notified.

Following national health surveillance and epidemiological investigations carried out, secondary outbreaks were identified in Mvila Division (South Region), Koung-Khi and Mifi Divisions (West Region), and in Djerem Division (Adamawa Region). To date, in the affected poultry farms, about Fifty-four Thousand (54 000) fowls have been slaughtered, denatured and buried. Decontamination and hygiene measures have been applied in these sources of infection. The different zones concerned are monitored daily.

Teams of the Ministry of Public Health have followed-up Four Hundred and Seventy-four (474) exposed persons and no case of human influenza from avian origin has been detected. The overall assessment presents a situation under control. The Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries and the Minister of Public Health welcomed the interministerial cooperation that prevails and thank friendly countries of Cameroon, international organizations and stakeholders in the poultry industry for their support and active participation in the fight against this disease.

Furthermore, the Government notes that in recent days, no new outbreaks have been detected, and therefore calls for greater vigilance and observance of health surveillance. And if the lull continues, additional necessary measures will be taken for the revival of activities disrupted by this worrying situation for the Cameroonian poultry activities in the affected areas.

Cameroon Tribune