The emergence of bird flu in Ethiopia has been dismissed by health officials, following the negative results from analysis of samples that were tested for the presence of the H5N1 virus.
Officials belonging to the health department said in a panel discussion organized on Thursday that no outbreak of bird flu has been reported so far, based upon the daily surveillance conducted in several parts of the country.All necessary precautionary measures have been taken by the Ethiopian Government, to prevent any outbreak of bird flu. In addition, a national control and follow-up committee has been established at all levels.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health said that there was no need of any fear regarding bird flu. The public have therefore been urged to use chicken and poultry products, as the H5N1 virus has not yet been detected in Ethiopia.
The Media has been playing a major role in spreading messages about the much dreaded bird flu and in alleviating associated fear among the public. The precautionary measures to be followed in the event of a bird flu outbreak are being telecast.
With such strengthened bird flu surveillance measures, the outbreak of a bird flu epidemic in Ethiopia is very unlikely.
