April 5, 2006

Burkina Faso confirms first case of H5N1 bird flu

Authorities have confirmed Burkina Faso's first case of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the World Organisation for Animal Health said Tuesday (Apr 4).

The H5N1 strain was found at a campsite in the central Kadiogo province, where 123 helmeted guinea fowls were found dead, the Paris-based agency said. A laboratory in Italy, where samples from the birds were sent, confirmed the strain on Monday.

Authorities responded with measures including the quarantine and screening of birds, radio and TV announcements and disinfection of the infected zone, the animal health agency said in a statement. Vaccinations, culls and new surveillance measures were planned.

Burkina Faso is the fifth African country in which H5N1 has been confirmed, joining Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Egypt.