Cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza type H5N1, a strain of bird flu, have been reported in the town of Mondoukou, in the Department of Grand-Bassam, 40km south-east of Abidjan, according to a prefectural decree.
The order, signed by the prefect of the Grand-Bassam Department, Nassou Sidib’ on August 5, 2021, declares “infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype A/H5N1, the locality of Mondoukou, Grand-Bassam Department.”
The decree prescribes sanitary police measures to deal with the outbreak and in the area, namely the slaughter of all poultry present, the destruction of dead poultry and farm products.
It recommends the destruction of all material and waste likely to be contaminated, such as poultry feed, and a ban on the movement of poultry, poultry products and their derivatives.
The decree also imposes the closure of markets and places where live poultry is gathered, and the cessation of activities related to the processing, transport, distribution and marketing of poultry, products and by-products.
The poultry sector in Cote d’Ivoire was affected “in 2006, 2015 and 2017 by the resurgence and persistence of the avian influenza virus.”
Today, 42 outbreaks have been identified and notified to the World Organization for Animal Health with more than 122,700 poultry slaughtered.
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