Super birds

Egypt hopes to breed a new generation of poultry void of bird flu, Reem Leila reports

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Since the outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain in Egypt, all authorities concerned have been digging their heels in to find a cure or at least to stop the spread of the disease. Last week, the Governors Council, along with the Ministry of Local Administration and the General Authority for Veterinary Services, announced that a new plan has been launched aimed at creating giant poultry coops inside the rural homes of 16 villages all over the country to produce birds protected against the deadly virus. The two-phase plan aims at breeding 343 million birds annually for at least two years. During the first year of the plan, 360 families will benefit from and sell the fowl. The second phase will encompass wider application of the plan. The project is to be first implemented in Beheira and Qalioubiya governorates.

Egypt has taken extensive precautionary measures against bird flu since it appeared in the country in 2006, but they all seem to be faulty as no measure has been able to put an end to the spread of the virus. The breeding and trading of live poultry in communities up and down the Nile Valley is so vital that persuading people in the business to abandon the practice is seen as futile.

Accordingly, the Minister of Local Administration Abdel-Salam El-Mahgoub decided to reverse the situation, strongly believing the importance of encouraging people to protect themselves against the potentially deadly H5N1 strain while breeding poultry. El-Mahgoub said the ministry will distribute cages designed by the Agricultural Research Centre to families to breed poultry in them. The cages, to be distributed for free, are designed with food and water containers affixed to them to limit the birds' movement, thus making it easier to clean the cage. Birds' remnants is a major environment in which the virus is spread.

"A survey has been conducted by the information centre affiliated to the ministry to select the poorest families who deserve the cages," El-Mahgoub added.

More than 3,000 rural health tutors will educate the selected families as well as other residents in preparation for the second phase -- how to safely breed birds according to hygienic measures. A poultry breeder must cover his or her mouth and nose with a scarf when approaching the birds to feed them. Before entering the site where the coop is placed a breeder must put on slippers and clothes and which are to be used solely for that purpose, and wash feet and hands in a bucket of disinfectant when finished. Keeping the birds up on rooftops is strictly prohibited so that they do not contract the disease from migratory birds.

Hamed Samaha, head of the General Authority for Veterinary Services, said every breeder will receive a booklet with the dates of various vaccinations required for the birds. Tutors are to follow up with the breeders. "Cages along with the birds will be immediately confiscated from those who will not abide by the vaccinations schedule or follow instructions required for producing healthy and safe poultry," Samaha said.

The new project will help in preserving Egypt's poultry industry estimated to be at least LE17 billion. The new plan is being implemented through LE117 million loans and grants Egypt receives for the purpose, Samaha added. "Small loans ranging from between LE200 and LE500 are to be granted to needy families in order to buy vaccinated chicks and fodder. The vaccines should last for a period not less than three months," stated Samaha. Health tutors are to organise weekly visits to the breeders for any unexpected emergency, he added.

El-Mahgoub believes that the new project will play an important role in enhancing rural economies especially the poultry industry. Following the strict hygienic instructions while breeding the birds, according to El-Mahgoub, will create a new generation which is totally void of the deadly virus within a few years and will go a long way in helping all concerned authorities in controlling the virus.

Each type of bird will be bred separately in order to prevent their mix which helps in increasing the rate of the disease.

"It is very possible to generalise the experience in case of its success to include all of Egypt's current poultry farms," El-Mahgoub added.