August 22, 2006

Southern Balkans and Caucasus Region remain high-risk areas for bird flu

Bird flu still poses a potent threat to countries in the Southern Balkans and Caucasus Region, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation said, adding that these two regions were considered "high-risk" areas.

The region is a major stopover point for migratory birds. Furthermore, poultry production in the region is mostly in the form of household husbandry with little biosecurity, thus making the region highly vulnerable to bird flu, said Juan Lubroth, head of FAO's Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal Diseases.

The FAO noted that bird flu has been confirmed in more countries, though the rate of infection has slowed in most.

Although the disease could not be totally eradicated, it could be contained and controlled in the poultry industry. Doing that would prevent the virus from mutating into deadlier versions that can be passed among humans, said Joseph Domenech, Chief Veterinary Officer of FAO.

Achieving the goal would require more veterinary and laboratory services, especially in poorer countries which lack the funding to implement measures. These are the countries who need help in the global effort to contain bird flu, Domenech said.