FAO gives bird flu testing kits to agriculture ministry

The ministry of agriculture animal industry and fisheries has received equipment from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help in the surveillance of bird flu in the districts suspected to be having bird flu.

The items worth $45,729 (sh163, 755,549) include chemicals used for testing and ascertaining bird flu strains. Part of the money will facilitate surveillance teams that will go to districts suspected to be having bird flu in addition to the shipment costs of Laboratory refrigerators.

This follows an outbreak of bird flu early this year, in the districts of Masaka, Kalangala and Wakiso, which lead to the ban of the exportation of poultry products to neighboring countries like Kenya, DR Congo and some parts of Tanzania.

The Minister of State for Animal Industry and Fisheries Hon Joy Kabatsi (holding a red box) pose for a group photo with the Country Representative Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Alhaji Jallow (In Cream kanzu) and other representatives from the ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) after the handover of the diagnostic kits and personal protective equipment to support response activities for the highly pathogenic avian and human influenza meeting to MAAIF in Entebbe on Thursday 2, 3, 2017. Photo by Shamim Saad

The equipment was handed over to the minister of state for Agriculture in charge of Livestock Joy Kabatsi by FAO's country Representative, Alhaji Jallow on Thursday at the NARO secretariat in Entebbe.

Jallow said that the Avian Flu has a significant impact on food security and is potentially dangerous for human beings. He added that if not controlled, it could affect tourism and trade.

He explained that the financial support was obtained through the USAID funded program through the Emerging Pandemic Threats Programme Phase 2.

While receiving the equipment, minister of state for livestock Joy Kabatsi regretted the incident and called on the affected parties to remain calm adding that the situation is under control.

"Our people have put up all the measures to ensure that their birds remain safe but they have to hold on until we get clearance as per the requirement of health experts," she said.

She however called for joint efforts from neighboring countries in the fight of the outbreak. Kabatsi said since the carrier birds prefer settling along beaches of Lake Victoria, there is a possibility that the virus could have spread.

"Our neighbors could be keeping quiet with the disease because there is no way the birds could  choose to settle on the shores of lake Victoria in Uganda alone, lets come out and address the problem jointly," said Kabatsi.

Commissioner Animal Health in the ministry, Dr.Rose Ademun said at the moment, they are carrying out surveillance in the districts of Kisoro and Budaka that reported death of wild birds.

"Preliminary samples so far are negative but our team is already there to ensure that the outbreak is contained," said Ademun.