The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries has today, Sunday announced an outbreak of the deadly Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or bird flu in wild and domestic birds in the country.
According to a statement from the minister Vincent Ssempijja, on January 2, the ministry of Agriculture was informed by Uganda Wildlife Education Center (UWEC) of mass deaths of wild birds at Lutembe beach at the shores of Lake Victoria near Entebbe.
The dead birds were reportedly seen by the fishermen. Almost two weeks later, on January 13, there were similar reports from Masaka district.
On investigations by the government chemist and commissioner of animal health, all 7 specimen of the white winged black tern birds collected from Lutembe beach tested positive of bird flu.
Also, 2 specimen of feaces picked from the ground just dropped by birds flying away from Lutembe beach were also positive for HPAI, the statement adds.
From Masaka, specimen of 5 domestic ducks and a hen, too, tested positive of bird flu. It is the first time that an outbreak of bird flu has been recorded in the country. The disease can cause massive deaths in birds and sometimes even humans.
ADVICE FROM THE MINISTRY
• Report any cases of mass birds, animal, both domestic and wild to any government authority nearest to you, but especially the veterinary authorities;
• Report any cases of sickness or death of humans to the nearest human health facility (Hospital, clinic) or to the ministry;
• Bird owners must house them, avoiding interaction between domestic and wild birds and animals;
• People must not touch or eat wild birds or other wild animals that are found dead, they should instead report to the nearest veterinary authority