avian influenza strain H5N1 appears in gold
underfunded and overtaxed health systems in Africa might collapse under the strain of avian flu cases
chickens and ostriches in South Africa are bird flu-free, as of October 21, 2005
In South Africa, however, according to an October 21, 2005, article on its official web site entitled
"SA determined to stay bird flu free":
"South Africa is internationally recognised as being free from avian influenza and has strict measures in place to maintain that status, the Department of Agriculture said in a statement on Friday following the recent outbreak of bird flu in Thailand….
"No chickens, either commercial or non-commercial, have ever tested positive for avian influenza in South Africa.
"Another countrywide survey of domesticated ostriches and commercial and non-commercial chickens, carried out earlier this year, found that there was no bird flu circulating in the country.
"This made South Africa one of few countries in the world to have successfully contained an outbreak of the virus, [South Africa Department of Agriculture spokesperson Steve] Galane said."
experts expect Middle East and Africa to be hit next
According to an article entitled from the BBC entitled
"Bird flu 'set to hit Africa next'," last updated on October 26, 2005:
"The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization says birds could carry avian flu into the Middle East and east Africa within weeks."
For a map showing areas of avian influenza outbreaks and relevant migratory bird routes, click
here.
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