Avian influenza, or “bird flu”, is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. Avian influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans.

In domestic poultry, infection with avian influenza viruses causes 2 main forms of disease, distinguished by low and high extremes of virulence. The so-called “low pathogenic” form commonly causes only mild symptoms (ruffled feathers, a drop in egg production) and may easily go undetected. The highly pathogenic form is far more dramatic. It spreads very rapidly through poultry flocks, causes disease affecting multiple internal organs, and has a mortality that can approach 100%, often within 48 hours. 

In Africa, Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) outbreaks have occurred in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Djibouti, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Niger, Nigeria and Sudan. The outbreaks in Africa appear to mainly arise from trade in poultry and poultry products. Human cases have been confirmed in Djibouti and Egypt.

By August 2006, the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza (HPAI) had led to over 241 confirmed human cases and over 141 people had died as a result.  The disease in birds has spread along avian migration routes from its initial focus in Southeast Asia into Central Asia, Europe and to Africa.  In the eight African countries that Avian Influenza has been reported, 15 human cases have been reported (Egypt =14; Djibouti =1) with a total of six deaths from the HPAI strain. East African is particularly vulnerable as it lies in the route of migratory birds and has many wetlands where the migratory birds rest.

Considering the potential effect of influenza pandemic on the public health, national, regional and international impact on the economies of the Partner States, it is important that necessary steps be taken as a priority to prevent this disease from entering the region. It is also critical that appropriate arrangements are made for early detection and control of the disease.

 In view of this situation, the EAC Secretariat has developed a 3- year strategy for a comprehensive avian influenza (bird flu) public awareness campaign at community, national and regional levels to compliment national efforts. 

Though presently there is no reported case of Avian Influenza in East African countries; the EAC acknowledges there is a real risk of possible spread of this infectious disease to the region. The 11^th Extra-Ordinary meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers that was held on the 3^rd April 2006 therefore directed that an EAC Task Force on Avian Influenza be established, a plan of action to be developed and a budget prepared for consideration by the meeting of EAC Multisectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Livestock, Wildlife, Tourism, Information and Health.

The 2nd Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) meeting of the EAC Multisectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Livestock, Health, Agriculture, Tourism, Wildlife and Information was convened in accordance with the EAC programmed calendar of activities on the 7^th of September 2006.

During this 2^nd meeting of Multisectoral Council of Ministers responsible for Livestock, Health, Tourism, Wildlife and Information it was noted that there is need to operationalise the Avian Influenza Plan of Action and as such:

              i.      Approved the EAC Regional Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan of Action and Budget on Avian Influenza;

            ii.      Approved the EAC Public Awareness Campaign Strategy on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) at local Community, National and Regional level;

          iii.      Agreed to establish an Animal Health Desk under the EAC Secretariat Structure to coordinate regional level activities for the prevention and control of Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (including avian influenza) as per the provisions of the EAC Treaty article 108;

          iv.      Agreed to establish an EAC Technical Working Group on Avian Influenza that is composed of nine members and approved its Terms of Reference

            v.      Agreed to establish an EAC Regional Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund under the EAC Secretariat and also directed the EAC Secretariat to act swiftly to raise funds for the implementation of the plan at the Regional level. The Honourable Ministers also urged the EAC Partner States to mobilise funds at national levels.