Zimbabwe : Vet to conduct Avian Flu surveillance

Via Sunday News :

" THE Veterinary Services Department has chosen Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province as a site to conduct a surveillance of the devastating poultry disease, Avian Influenza (Bird flu), an official has said.I

n an interview Matabeleland North Veterinary Provincial Projects Co-ordinator, Dr Lovemore Dube said there is need to put requisite measures to guard against the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza.Last week the Food and Agriculture Organisation held a workshop in Hwange in which veterinary officials and 15 farmers drawn from Hwange and Binga Districts underwent a surveillance and sampling technique course on Avian Influenza.

Two years ago a devastating Avian Influenza outbreak hit China and was even felt in some parts of Africa.“Hwange District was chosen as a site for the surveillance of Avian Influenza because it suits certain conditions for the entry of the disease into the country though it has not yet surfaced."