Burkina Faso has become the fifth African nation to confirm an outbreak of the H5N1 strain of bird flu, reported at a farm near Ouagadougou.
The nation's minister for animal resources, Tiemoko Konate, told the BBC 65 samples from different regions had been sent to Italy for analysis.
The other African nations reporting the presence of avian flu are Cameroon, Egypt, Niger and Nigeria. The virus has also spread across Europe and parts of Asia, killing about 100 people worldwide since its reemergence in 2003, the BBC said.
Scientists fear the virus could mutate to spread between humans, triggering a global pandemic.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International
Related stories:
Good long-term prognosis after West Nile virus infection
The long-term prognosis of patients infected with West Nile virus is good, according to a new study appearing in the August 19, 2008, issue of
Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians' flagship journal. This is the largest study of the long-term outcomes of West Nile virus infection.
SKorea to start year-end monitoring for bird flu
South Korea is to start year-round monitoring for bird flu after being hit by its worst outbreak earlier this year, the agriculture ministry said Tuesday.
Study outlines measures to limit effects of pandemic flu on nursing homes
The greatest danger in a pandemic flu outbreak is that it could spread quickly and devastate a broad swath of people across the United States before there is much of a chance to react. The result could be a nation brought to its knees by a disease run rampant.
Newly described 'dragon' protein could be key to bird flu cure
(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists and researchers have taken a big step closer to a cure for the most common strain of avian influenza, or "bird flu," the potential pandemic that has claimed more than 200 lives and infected nearly 400 people in 14 countries since it was identified in 2003.
Pandemic mutations in bird flu revealed
Scientists have discovered how bird flu adapts in patients, offering a new way to monitor the disease and prevent a pandemic, according to research published in the August issue of the
Journal of General Virology. Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has spread through at least 45 countries in 3 continents.
Researchers identify potential new drug candidates to combat 'bird flu'
As the specter of a worldwide outbreak of avian or "bird flu" lingers, health officials recognize that new drugs are desperately needed since some strains of the virus already have developed resistance to the current roster of anti-flu remedies.
Oak Ridge pegged for national ecological network
Dozens of instruments to be deployed on the Oak Ridge Reservation and other sites around the nation will provide valuable information related to climate change, biodiversity and invasive species, infectious diseases and other areas of interest.
Effective health messages may yield vaccine compliance among ER workers
Emergency room workers will be the first line of defense in the event of a disease pandemic and will be forced to deal with the chaos that inevitably comes with treating thousands of sick and dying. In order to protect themselves and allow them to care for the public, these first responders need to be fully prepared by getting available vaccines now.