The Supreme National Committee for Combating Bird Flu reviewed in its meeting on 31/1/2008 chaired by Minister of Agriculture and Land Reclamation with the presence of Ministers of Health, Environment, Local Development and a number of Governors the latest developments of bird flu on the national and international levels during 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The Committee reviewed the directives made by the Supreme National Committee for Combating Bird Flu in its meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Nazif on 8/1/2008 concerning procedures to control the disease in all governorates whether in farms or house raising.

Spokesman for the Committee ambassador Ayman Kaffas said, at a press conference following the meeting, that all reports discussed by the Committee confirmed that no human bird flu case was spotted in January noting that since the killer virus was detected in Egypt in 2006, forty three infections had been reported, out of which 24 were cured and the rest (19) passed away. He pointed out that non-appearance of human cases is attributed to the efforts exerted by the National Committee in cooperation with the local councils, bodies of Ministry of Health, veterinary and media.

Kaffas stressed that the intensified media campaigns have promoted the public awareness of the symptoms of avian flu virus. This has led number of reports on the infections whether human or bird to increase to 10.000 reports during January 2008 against 213 during the second half of 2007. Only 14 farms have been affected by the bird flu during January 2008, 20 farms during the second half of 2007 and 34 farms during the first half of 2007.

Spokesman of the Committee said that the reports discussed by the Committee shown that house raising of poultry remains the first source of H5N1 virus infection due to non-adoption of sound regulations noting that infection increased during January to reach 42 epicenters as compared to 20 epicenters during December.

In January, 100 million birds were vaccinated against the virus compared to 76 million in December and 36 training courses were organized with participation of more than 883 physicians and veterinarians, Kaffas added.

The Committee stressed the necessity of keeping a close eye on poultry market and stepping up house-to-house surveillance to prevent the spread of bird flu. It called on all citizens not to contact sick chickens, commit with the precautionary measures and report the appearance of epicenters.

Ambassador Ayman Kaffas said that Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the local councils, will start an awareness campaign in 17 governorates as of February 1, 2008. 60 vehicles were provided to carry on the awareness convoys of the deadly virus as more than 13 rural women participate in said campaigns, he added.

On other hand, Representative of the World Health Organization, Zoheir Hallag, who participated in the meeting of the Supreme National Committee for Combating Bird Flu confirmed safety of the anti-avian flu vaccines in Egypt. He said that all vaccines must meet a number of safety requirements before utilization.