MoH urges public to be on the lookout for bird flu

The Ministry of Health has warned against a possible outbreak of avian flu after it was discovered in a neighbouring country. In a statement, released to the media yesterday, the ministry said the disease is suspected around Uganda’s Lake Victoria basin after some migratory birds were found dead in the areas of Entebbe, Masaka and Karangala. “It is suspected that the deaths are due to avian flu and it can also be spread to people,” the ministry warned. It said it will be following up the issue in conjunction with other institutions and partners and already had preventive measures in place to protect Rwandans from contamination. “Avoid touching poultry, cooking and eating dead poultry or those with symptoms of swollen heads, necks and oesophagus,” the ministry advised. It also requested people to pass information related to any bird deaths to Rwanda Agriculture Board by using the numbers 0738503589 and 0732022287. Anyone feeling unwell due to flu after having been in contact with poultry is also required to go to a nearby health centre. Symptoms that characterise person with avian flu include fever over 38 degrees, pain in the oesophagus, headache, flu, cough, chest pains, among others, according to the ministry. The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has announced a temporary ban on import of chicken and other poultry products from countries where the disease has been identified such as Uganda as well as European nations. The viral disease had earlier been confirmed in Hungary, Germany, France and Denmark, among others. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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MoH urges public to be on the lookout for bird flu