Suspect H5N1 in Benin
Recombinomics Commentary
December 5, 2007
Benin has filed an OIE report on two domestic poultry outbreaks. The birds have clinical signs of avian influenza and have tested positive on a rapid test. One outbreak was in Adjara, involving chicks and chickens. 33 of 37 birds died. They had been vaccinated against Newcastle disease on October 31. The second outbreak began December 3 in Cotonou (see satellite map) where 67 chickens died after import from Ghana. 5 of 8 turkey cocks also died.
Neighboring Ghana and Togo have reported H5N1 outbreaks over the summer. Nigeria has also reported H5N1 poultry outbreaks this year, as well as a confirmed fatal case. If confirmed, this would be the first report of H5N1 in Benin.
Benin, like its neighbors, lie at the intersection of multiple migratory bird flyways.
More information on the subsequent tests would be useful.
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