Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa

Global concerns about an impending influenza pandemic escalated when highly pathogenic influenza A subtype H5N1 appeared in Nigeria in January 2006. The potential devastation from emergence of a pandemic strain in Africa has led to a sudden shift of public health focus to pandemic preparedness. Prep...

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Main Authors: Robert F. Breiman, Abdulsalami Nasidi, Mark A. Katz, M. Kariuki Njenga, John Vertefeuille
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2007-10-01
Series:Emerging Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/10/07-0400_article
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author Robert F. Breiman
Abdulsalami Nasidi
Mark A. Katz
M. Kariuki Njenga
John Vertefeuille
author_facet Robert F. Breiman
Abdulsalami Nasidi
Mark A. Katz
M. Kariuki Njenga
John Vertefeuille
author_sort Robert F. Breiman
collection DOAJ
description Global concerns about an impending influenza pandemic escalated when highly pathogenic influenza A subtype H5N1 appeared in Nigeria in January 2006. The potential devastation from emergence of a pandemic strain in Africa has led to a sudden shift of public health focus to pandemic preparedness. Preparedness and control activities must work within the already strained capacity of health infrastructure in Africa to respond to immense existing public health problems. Massive attention and resources directed toward influenza could distort priorities and damage critical public health programs. Responses to concerns about pandemic influenza should strengthen human and veterinary surveillance and laboratory capacity to help address a variety of health threats. Experiences in Asia should provide bases for reassessing strategies for Africa and elsewhere. Fowl depopulation strategies will need to be adapted for Africa. Additionally, the role of avian vaccines should be comprehensively evaluated and clearly defined.
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spelling doaj.art-eb3fe06792a74d989942f7b8a9e0921b2022-12-21T18:52:41ZengCenters for Disease Control and PreventionEmerging Infectious Diseases1080-60401080-60592007-10-0113101453145810.3201/eid1310.070400Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in AfricaRobert F. BreimanAbdulsalami NasidiMark A. KatzM. Kariuki NjengaJohn VertefeuilleGlobal concerns about an impending influenza pandemic escalated when highly pathogenic influenza A subtype H5N1 appeared in Nigeria in January 2006. The potential devastation from emergence of a pandemic strain in Africa has led to a sudden shift of public health focus to pandemic preparedness. Preparedness and control activities must work within the already strained capacity of health infrastructure in Africa to respond to immense existing public health problems. Massive attention and resources directed toward influenza could distort priorities and damage critical public health programs. Responses to concerns about pandemic influenza should strengthen human and veterinary surveillance and laboratory capacity to help address a variety of health threats. Experiences in Asia should provide bases for reassessing strategies for Africa and elsewhere. Fowl depopulation strategies will need to be adapted for Africa. Additionally, the role of avian vaccines should be comprehensively evaluated and clearly defined.https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/10/07-0400_articleInfluenzaavianAfricaH5N1capacityNigeria
spellingShingle Robert F. Breiman
Abdulsalami Nasidi
Mark A. Katz
M. Kariuki Njenga
John Vertefeuille
Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa
Emerging Infectious Diseases
Influenza
avian
Africa
H5N1
capacity
Nigeria
title Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa
title_full Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa
title_fullStr Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa
title_full_unstemmed Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa
title_short Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa
title_sort preparedness for highly pathogenic avian influenza pandemic in africa
topic Influenza
avian
Africa
H5N1
capacity
Nigeria
url https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/10/07-0400_article
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