Bird flu detected in Mali

Veterinary officials discovered the outbreaks after investigating high animal mortality levels on poultry farms around the capital Bamako as well as two other towns.

CAPE TOWN, April 30 (ANA) – Malian authorities sounded the alarm this week after detecting outbreaks of bird flu in the West African state.

Authorities announced precautionary measures to contain the disease, according to a statement issued by the agriculture ministry.

Veterinary officials discovered the outbreaks after investigating high animal mortality levels on poultry farms around the capital Bamako as well as two other towns.

In January, at least 58,000 birds had to be killed after Senegal reported an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a poultry farm.

Avian influenza is an infection of birds with avian influenza Type A viruses.

These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species.

The statement said that the precautionary measures include disinfecting and quarantining farms and destroying carcasses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infected birds can shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces.

Recently, three regional countries have banned imports of South African poultry products following an outbreak of bird flu at a commercial chicken farm east of Johannesburg.

Following the outbreak, Botswana said it was banning with immediate effect all imports of domesticated and wild birds as well as their meat, eggs and feathers from South Africa.

Similarly, Namibia banned the import and movement of live poultry, birds and poultry products from South Africa.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher