14 DAY TRIAL // Ivory Coast reported the first outbreak of bird flu in 2 neighborhoods of its main city Abidjan, making it the 6th African nation to report the virus.
The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) confirmed on Wednesday the H5N1 virus at 17 birds found in 2 heavily populated suburbs, Marcory Anoumabo and Treichville.
"The animals affected are traditional backyard free-ranging chickens (7 cases) and ducks (9 cases) and one sparrow hawk," said the organization on its website. Egypt is among the 5 other African countries which have reported an outbreak, due to which 12 Egyptians got the disease and 4 died.
Health experts fear that Africa's scanty health systems and lack of proper medical care could make the continent the target of a bigger outbreak. Even though the H5N1, since 2003, has infected only 204 people and killed 113, officials fear the virus could suffer a mutation and become more dangerous and capable of a pandemic.
According to the OIE, local authorities in Abidjan have begun killing birds in the area, disinfecting it and restricting movement. The zone around Marcory Anoumabo will be declared infected and the city will be placed under surveillance.
Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Egypt and Burkina Faso have already confirmed the virus in Africa. Sudan has also reported an outbreak of bird flu, but the H5N1 has not yet been confirmed.