Rwanda issues avian flu alert

Rwanda's Ministry of Health Wednesday issued an alert on avian flu outbreak days after it was reported in neighbouring Uganda.

Wednesday's alert came a day after the Ministry of Agriculture announced a temporary ban on import of chicken and other poultry products from affected countries, including Uganda and several European countries.

The disease is suspected around Uganda's Lake Victoria, where some migratory birds were found dead in the areas of Entebbe, Masaka and Karangala.

In a statement, Rwanda's health ministry said the disease is suspected to have killed the birds.

The ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation in conjunction with other institutions and partners with preventive measures in place to protect Rwandans.

"Avoid touching poultry, cooking and eating dead poultry or those showing symptoms of swollen heads, necks and oesophagus, experiencing difficulty in breathing, coughing and diarrhea," the ministry cautioned.

It advised members of the public to report to nearby health center in case of suspicion after coming in contact with poultry.

A person who has contracted avian flu shows several symptoms such as fever over 38 degrees, pain in the oesophagus, headache, flu, cough, chest pains according to medics.

The viral disease had earlier been reported confirmed in Hungary, Germany, France and Denmark. Endit