The Avian Influenza that hit Cameroon on May 22, 2016, killing about 15,000 table birds in one of the biggest poultry farms in Yaounde, resulted in the interdiction of the sale of chicken.

As the virus spread from Yaounde, thousands of table birds and eggs were destroyed in some parts of the country by the authorities. In order to contain the situation and prevent the virus from spreading to neighbouring countries, the Economic Commission of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, CEBEVIRHA, with head office in Ndjamena, Chad, gathered veterinary experts from the CEMAC sub-region to chart the way forward.

The Douala meeting sought to strengthen epidemio-surveillance networks in every country and seek guidelines from international organisations on how to help African countries combat the disease. According to CEBEVIRHA’s Executive Secretary, Prof.

Toussaint Bengone Ndang, since all member States have national contingency plans on preventing the propagation of Avian Influenza, the three-day gathering enabled participants to harmonise and put in place Sub-Regional Contingency and Communication Plans for better coordination. Prof. Toussaint Bengone commended Cameroon for handling the crisis speedily and tact.

Away from Bird Flu, the team of veterinary experts from the CEMAC zone also discussed “peste du petit ruminant” animal disease that affects mostly goats and sheep. Dr Baschirou Moussa, ECCAS Veterinary Governance Regional Coordinator, disclosed that a regional plan to control and eradicate the disease in the next 15 years has been approved.

The strategy involves the creation of a regional laboratory where samples will be diagnosed and a regional bank of vaccines set up to supply ECCAS countries.

Once the disease is eradicated in a country, it gets a certificate from the World Organisation of Animal Health. CEBEVIRHA, with main aim to ensure food security, reduce poverty and coordinate and harmonise policies, counts on technical and financial partners like FAO, World Organisation of Animal Health, African Union and member States to efficiently carry out its duties.

The Secretary General in the Littoral Governor’s office, Ludovic Ngbwa, represented the Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, at the closing ceremony on July 22, 2016.