Avian Flu in Africa

Last updated June 2009

Avian flu was a considerable threat to health worldwide between 2004 and 2008. It was transmitted to humans through birds and killed close to 400 people total. Currently, however, avian flu does not pose a serious threat to humans because it cannot pass easily from one human to another. There is potential for a future threat if the virus were to mutate and trigger a flu pandemic.

The most recent flu threat is the H5N1 virus, or swine flu. It first emerged in Mexico and is the first flu pandemic in 40 years. H1N1 is the same strain that causes seasonal outbreaks of flu in humans on a regular basis. This strain contains genetic material that is typically found in strains of the virus that affect humans, birds and swine. Although the strain may have originated in pigs, it is now a human disease and can be spread from person to person by coughing and sneezing. The symptoms are similar to seasonal flu, with fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded 163 deaths by June 2009, with a total of 35, 928 reported infections. The WHO has ranked the flu threat as being of moderate severity. Most people recover from the infection without any hospitalization or medical care. The levels of influenza illness caused by the swine flu are similar to routine levels of seasonal influenza levels. Hospitals and health care systems have not been overwhelmed by the cases necessitating care. Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe all took steps to stock medications and/or screen travelers in anticipation of a pandemic.

The strain is a relatively mild one and has not proven to cause the mass deaths that were initially feared by many. However, similar to the avian flu, there is the risk of a worsening threat if the virus mutates. While this flu may not have been as severe it may have been, the very nature of human movement around the world makes the spread of a future mutated strain or another disease a rapid and potentially catastrophic risk.

There is a clear need for comprehensive and globally coordinated efforts to counter such major health threats and to invest in improving public health systems. The U.S. must recognize the moral and practical necessity of dedicating the required funding, resources and expertise to address Africa's particular health challenges. Additionally, the U.S. must increase its support for programs seeking to promote a comprehensive response to health crises and to strengthen health systems in developing countries, such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

The effects of inadequate access to education, economic resources and health care have caused the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic to overrun the African continent. These same inequities may now allow a flu virus, a potentially much faster killer, to spread unchecked through the continent and beyond its boundaries.

Africa Action emphasizes that the international community cannot afford to disregard the lessons learned from HIV/AIDS. No longer can the U.S. and other nations pretend to ignore the vulnerabilities in African health systems and the health crises faced in Africa in favor of strictly national concerns.

As the spread of HIV/AIDS has shown, the boundaries of national and global health concerns no longer exist. It is past time for the U.S. and other countries to show responsible global leadership in the face of such urgent public health threats, and they must seize this opportunity now or pay a high price in the future.

Resources on the Avian Flu

Latest news from World Health Organization
"This World Health Organization (WHO) webpage outlines the current global health response to the avian flu threat and their coordinating efforts. Resources include maps, factsheets, regional information, statements from health ministers, and more..."  Go >

BBC In Depth Bird Flu
"As the latest reporting emerges on the spread of the bird flu, this BBC webpage gathers recent analysis and articles. Information includes frequently asked questions and a history of the virus, as well as an interactive forum to provide expert advice..."  Go >

Agriculture Department: Animal Production and Health Division
"This webpage is housed under the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. This source provides the latest reports from the UN and key documents in PDF format..."  Go >

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
"The CDC website section on the avian flu outlines U.S. preparedness, CDC responses, and basic information about the virus. Links are also available to general information about seasonal versus pandemic flu..."  Go >

Voice of America: Avian Flu
"This Voice of America special series provides a list of the most recent articles on the avian flu, in a variety of languages. The webpage also includes select articles covering each region of the world, as well as information on research, prevention, background, and more..."  Go >

African Union: Avian Flu: Possible outbreak, Economic importance and Emergency Preparedness Initiative in Africa
"This resource prepared by the African Union examines Africa’s level of risk and the various contributing factors that increase Africa’s vulnerability. It also details strategies for emergency preparedness and capacity building..."  Go >

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