Nairobi — Scientists ask Kenyans to take care when handling poultry after hundreds of dead birds are found in Nairobi days after Africa confirms first cases of avian flu

The spread of bird flu to Africa - the continent with the weakest disease detection systems - has become the biggest headache for scientists.

Experts fear that poorest continent in the globe might become the first epidemic centre if the H5N1 strain mutates into a lethal virus capable of jumping from one person to another.

"Concern that human cases may occur in affected parts of Africa is high given the close contact between people and poultry," the World Health Organisation says.

The world is still safe, for the moment, because the strain can only jump from chicken to humans.

Historically, avian influenza has been in existence for more than a century. It has been recognised as a lethal viral disease since 1901.

In 1955, for example, a specific type A of influenza virus was identified as the agent of what was formerly known as fowl plague.

The virulent strain may emerge either by genetic mutation or by a reassortment of less virulent strains.

This is why scientists are worried about the H5N1 strain which has so far infected hundreds and killed 93 people since 2003.

Disease symptoms

Some of the symptoms associated with the disease are fever, cough, sore throat, muscle ache, eye infections, viral pneumonia and severe respiratory diseases which in most cases leads to death.

If not controlled, scientist believe the world would be staring at another pandemic.

In the last century there were three major pandemics of influenza in 1918, 1957 and 1968 which killed millions of people and scientists fear history might repeat itself if the H5N1 strain mutates.

Already three African countries have reported the strain. First it was Nigeria, then Niger, before Egypt joined the fold. Focus has now shifted to Ethiopia which recently announced it had found a disease similar to bird flu. The samples have since been taken to Italy for further tests.

If it proves to be bird flu then Kenya should prepare for any eventuality as it shares a border with Ethiopia.

The risk is not only from neighbouring countries, but also from migrating birds which move from Europe and North America during winter and return in spring when snow begins to thaw.

According to the National Museums Department, over 200 species of birds come to Kenya from the Eurasia region and this is where the biggest threat lies.

An update on epidemic preparedness from the Disease Outbreak Management Unit in the Ministry of Health, says birds that pass through the Great Rift Valley, which lies within the migration flight path, are the biggest threat.

Mr Ward Hagemeijer of Wetlands International believes that the possible outbreak in East Africa will come from wildbirds.

Strength to migrate

However, Mr Hagemeijer says it is not clear whether infected birds have the strength to migrate.

Surveillance teams closely monitor pochard, wild geese, pin-tail and white-faced whistling ducks among others.

Some species of ducks are able to carry influenza viruses without exhibiting clinical symptoms.

Juvenile ducks, Westlands International says, have the highest rate of infection and shedding.

Due to the threat, the director of Veterinary Services, Dr Joseph Musaa, urges farmers to ensure that their domestic fowl do not mix with wild ones.

It will be a herculean task as many small scale farmers do not feed their chicken but let them roam around for food.

Another common habit, that ought to be abandoned, is the feasting on sick birds, especially in rural areas where nothing is left to waste.

Dr Musaa urges the public to report such incidences to veterinary officers instead of eating the birds.

However, a renowned international organisation, Grain, differs with other scientists, saying migratory birds are not to blame.

Grain calls for thorough investigations on large scale commercial farms.

In fact the Nigerian outbreak began at a single factory farm - distant from hot spots for migratory birds.

In India, the organisation adds, the virus originated from one of the biggest factory farms.

Grain attributes this problem to the importation of unregulated hatchable eggs.

"A burning question is why governments and international agencies like the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation are doing nothing to investigate how factory farms and their by-products, such as animal feed and manure, spread the virus," the organisation says.

Origins of the virus aside, Kenya requires Sh249 million to implement the initial plan aimed at keeping avian flu at bay, says the Ministry of Health.

"However, if an outbreak were to occur, we would need about $50 million (Sh3.5 billion) to handle the pandemic, including compensating our farmers," says the director of Medical Services, Dr James Nyikal.

"My committee hopes we do not come to this stage."

The Government has since established hotlines where members of the public can call to report suspected cases.

In November last year in Geneva, the World Organisation for Animal Health together with the World Bank, World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation met to prepare for outbreaks in Africa and Middle East.

Among other agendas, the meeting was supposed to establish a fund to help pay farmers in poor countries to turn over sick poultry.

Last week, the surveillance in Kenya team breathed a sigh of relief when tests on chickens dumped at Kasarani turned out negative for bird flu.

The team comprised experts from the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, Centres for Disease Control Unit and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organisation, Office of the President and Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri).

Kenya has a population of about 30 million birds, with 80 per cent being indigenous chicken. Experts say that 19 per cent of domestic chicken are commercially-reared broilers and layers and one per cent are other poultry species like ducks, turkey and geese among others.

So should Kenyans continue eating chicken?

"Yes. There is no cause for alarm at the moment everything is under control," says Dr Musaa.

The Director of Medical Services, Dr James Nyikal, concurs, saying the Government is on a high alert and the public should not worry and continue consuming their favourite food.

The experts also say precautions should be taken when handling and cooking chicken.

Direct contact with infected poultry or surfaces of objects contaminated by their faeces is presently considered to be the main cause of human infection.

Residents are also urged to wear protective clothing when handling chicken in farms whose cause of death is unknown.

Ensure cleanliness while preparing chicken for cooking and the meat should be cooked at over 100 degrees centigrade for 10 minutes or more to kill the deadly viruses.

According to experts, this is important because all death cases stem from chicken handling, mainly those who share shelter with chicken.

Protective gear, the team maintains, should be used in case of an outbreak.

Immediately the first case was reported in Africa, the Kenya Government banned importation of birds and eggs from Nigeria.

The ban was also extended to poultry, pet birds such as parrots and breeding stock, including fertilised eggs sent to hatcheries from Asia, Europe and Middle East.

The report by the surveillance team also advises travellers to countries in Asia and Europe with reported outbreaks of bird flu to avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with poultry faeces.

Though no case has been reported in the country, chicken sellers have already started feeling the pinch.

Some of the companies that have suffered losses running into millions of shillings are Kenchic, Muguku, Lake Chick hatcheries among others.

The losses began to be felt as early as last year as consumers shied away from this delicacy.

Kenchic has since embarked on a campaign to educate the public on the safety of their chicken products.

Sales and marketing manager Anthony Wainaina says Kenchic products are safe because all health precautions are factored in during processing.

"The public should continue eating our products because we have put in place all safety measures," says Mr Wainaina.

Dr Humphrey Mbugua, a veterinary consultant, concurs, saying the highest risk is from domestic chicken which are not caged but roam freely in the neighbourhood.

However, Dr Mbugua says Kenya like any other country is under threat, but quickly adds that precautions should be taken to minimise the danger.