A seniorofficial of the Tanzanian ministry of health says the country will remainvigilant in the fight against avian influenza, especially because it lies on amigratory bird route.

Dr. Mohamed Ali Mohamed isan epidemiologist at Tanzania's ministry of health in Dar es Salaam. He toldVOA English to Africa reporter Douglas Mpuga that Tanzania and other countriesin the region are at risk for avian flu because they lie on a route taken bymigratory birds from Europe and Asia every year.

He said the government iscareful about importing poultry products from other countries, but the riskcannot be eliminated.

"But we are prepared in caseof any (avian flu) threat or outbreak. We work as a team with other ministriesin this effort to combat the avian flu threat," he said.

Dr. Mohamed noted thatTanzania is trying hard to sensitize the people about this threat. "We have anavian flu awareness plan. We work with other agencies like the United NationsChildren's Fund (UNICEF). In fact, UNICEF is the lead agency in this(awareness) campaign. We even have conducted local traditional plays indifferent regions of the country to make sure people understand the risk ofavian influenza."

He is not concerned thatlocal poultry farmers might not report avian flu cases for fear of losing theirbirds. "In our response plans we are discussing compensation plans to poultryfarmers in case of an outbreak. This will encourage people to report any cases(of avian flu)."

Dr. Mohamed said thegovernment is now in the process of asking for help from differentorganizations to create the fund. " We have got some assistance from the AU(African Union) Avian Influenza Preparedness Fund. He mentioned the U.S.Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and the World Healthorganization (WHO) as the other organizations that have promised help in caseof an outbreak.

He said Tanzania was the first east Africancountry to receive training in the detection and prevention of avian influenza."We have the personnel, protective gear and WHO has promised drugs."

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