Flutrop CIRAD Avian Influenza

Zimbabwe is in SADC community and has not experienced any H5N1 outbreak. However, as well as South Africa, they experienced a H5N2 outbreak in the Ostrich production sector in 2004 which impacted heavily on this production sector.

The chicken population is estimated at 20,000,000 heads with a strong ostrich production system. Zimbabwe has some wetlands like LakeChivero and Manyame which can host important wild bird populations.

Active HPAI surveillance is regularly undertaken in ostrich and intensive poultry production units by the veterinary services (mainly serology). A national task force has been set up and media campaign has been undertaken.

Emergency projects “Avian Influenza in Avian Systems” – AIAS funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs looking at avian systems around the Lake Chivero-Manyame birds systems started in February 2007.

GRIPAVI funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: longitudinal study site looking at wild birds, ostrich, intensive poultry and backyard poultry systems; starting during the last part of 2007 and for at least 3 years.