PRESS RELEASE

US Government Support Of ECOWAS Regional Avian Flu Meeting On The Harmonization Of Control And Prevention Strategies In West Africa

June 29, 2006

The Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja congratulates the ECOWAS secretariat and its member states on their demonstration of leadership in convening a much needed meeting of political and technical staff to work out regional strategies to control and prevent Avian Flu in the West Africa Region. This meeting is taking place in Abuja Nigeria at the ECOWAS secretariat June 20 - 23, 2006. In recognition of this leadership, the USG, through the Unites States Agency for International Development is assisting ECOWAS in financing the technical portion of this meeting.

The avian influenza virus, H5N1 is now well established in the West Africa Region. Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon have all reported outbreaks. So it is reasonable to assume that the community of West African States is at high risk and urgent response measures are called for. Although it is currently only an occupational disease for poultry farmers and handlers, the concern that the virus could easily mutate to a human epidemic is well supported by historical experience. The virus can wipe out entire bird populations in hours. It is reassuring to note that the leaders of this region are giving this problem the level of attention it needs and it is our hope that effective preventive strategies at local, national and regional levels will be discussed and put in place to protect poultry assets in the region and human health.

The four-day meeting will provide a forum for West African government ministers and their staff, regional and international organizations to review and update the regional strategy to control avian influenza in West Africa.

The U.S. Embassy welcomes the very positive response from the region in support of ECOWAS's Regional Ministerial Meeting on the Harmonization of Avian Flu Policies in West Africa.

 

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