Virology & Mycology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0517
ISSN: 2161-0517
Bruno S J Phiri
Central Veterinary Research Institute, Zambia
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Virol Mycol
Effective surveillance of influenza viruses in the migratory waterfowl is very important to determine the possible risk of influenza outbreak in domestic birds and humans. Here I report the challenges in the surveillance of influenza viruses circulating in Zambia. After 2005 H5N1 outbreak in poultry in some African countries such as Nigeria, Togo, Benin and other countries, African countries and Zambia inclusive were called upon to step up their influenza surveillance activities in order to prevent the disease because of the possible influenza outbreak threat. The national strategic plan for prevention and control of avian influenza was put in place in 2005. This resulted in lot of influenza surveillance activities from 2005 to 2010 which resulted in isolation of a number of influenza subtypes like H6N1, H9N1, H3N2 and others from wild migratory birds. This was made possible due to good will from donor organizations as they provided funds. From 2010 to date, influenza surveillance activities have been very limited, not effective and not coordinated due to lack of funding. There is need Zambia as a country to find partners, collaborators and donors to assist in fundraising for surveillance and research activities in Zambia. Further, there is need for help in training of Zambian researchers and technicians at our laboratory in the rapid detection and diagnosis of influenza. This will help the in the prevention and control of possible influenza outbreak. Surveillance remains a key as an early warning system in the control of possible influenza outbreak.
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