Press release
35% of Senegalese farmers aware of avian flu:
USAID study
DAKAR, Senegal, February 26, 2008 – Only
35% of Senegalese farmers have heard of avian influenza, according to results
from a USAID-funded study released today by the implementing agency, Catholic
Relief Services.
The study, which is part of a $400,000 project financed by USAID and implemented
by CRS and its partners, also found that only 26% of the 74,000 farmers interviewed
had vaccinated against avian diseases.
A more disturbing fact is that 50% of farmers do not have chicken coops. The
lack of coops could pose a problem if an avian flu outbreak occurred, as it would
be difficult to contain the birds. Chicken account for more than 98% of
the poultry sold in Senegal.
Farmers indicated, however, that they would like to receive training in avian
flu preparedness and also be kept abreast of the latest news about the disease.
"Poultry farming is big business in many areas, and they are often located
in or near areas where these migratory birds stop. Now that the farmers know
how to identify the symptoms, this will go along way toward protecting rural
livelihoods" says Rebecca Bassey, CRS’ Country Representative for
Senegal.
After the arrival of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in Africa in February
2006, CRS’ partners have organized 59 awareness raising sessions for close
to 7,000 people and contracted 17 radio stations to transmit messages in six
local languages on avian influenza prevention and hygiene methods.
In addition, they vaccinated 8,000 poultry against Newcastle Disease, the
most common form of bird flu, and trained 155 poultry farmers, producers and
park warders.
The bird flu virus is easily spread and capable of mutating and affecting
humans. Although there is no reported incidence of bird flu in Senegal yet, contamination
poses an immediate threat to the country. Senegal’s national parks attract
an average of 1 million migratory birds from Asia and Europe every year. The
virus is moving closer, though, as the West African countries of Benin, Ghana,
Nigeria, and Togo experienced outbreaks in 2007.
The full report is available in English and French from CRS.
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