Getting ready for avian influenza in Africa

Abstract{mxc}
"Global concerns about an impending influenza pandemic escalated when highly pathogenic influenza A subtype H5N1 appeared in Nigeria in January 2006. The potential devastation from emergence of a pandemic strain in Africa has led to a sudden shift of public health focus to pandemic preparedness.

• Preparedness and control activities must work within the already strained capacity of health infrastructure in Africa to respond to immense existing public health problems.
• Massive attention and resources directed toward influenza could distort priorities and damage critical public health programs.
• Responses to concerns about pandemic influenza should strengthen human and veterinary surveillance and laboratory capacity to help address a variety of health threats.
  
• Experiences in Asia should provide bases for reassessing strategies for Africa and elsewhere.
  
• Fowl depopulation strategies will need to be adapted for Africa.
  
• Additionally, the role of avian vaccines [i.e., vaccines for the fowl] should be comprehensively evaluated and clearly defined."

Preparedness for highly pathogenic avian influenza pandemic in Africa. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007 Oct.

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Avian Influenza