Abdoulie Camara, Deputy Programme Officer and Senior National Disease Surveillance Officer at the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare (DOSHSW) has confirmed that The Gambia is 100 percent Avian Influenza free and that the country’s chickens are fit for consumption.

Mr Camara made these observations at a press briefing in the ongoing National Emergency preparedness workshop on prevention and control of Avian Influenza, at the Baobab Lodge held from 29th - 31st August 2007.

According to him, Gambians are free to consume the chickens, noting that, the country is fully on alert.

He however disclosed that, the country can be highly vulnerable owing to the fact that no one can stop the movement of goods and services. He also said the country has vast wet lands which normally attract migrating birds.

He said all these factors make it possible for the country to be highly prepared for the disease.

“The disease can be transferred from sick birds to human beings through close contacts. That is why, it is recommended for children under 15 years not to have contact or even attend the burials of sick birds.

We want to sensitise everyone about the disease. This is the reason why we have a National Emergency Plan  for Rapid Response to the Avian Influenza headed by the Vice-President, Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy,” he explained.

According to him, they are vigilant in case of invasion, saying that “we have cross-border surveillance. It is about multi-sectoral approach by the Department of State for Health and Social Welfare, security officers, wildlife, donor agencies, communities and media practitioners as forefront runners, among others,” he said.

The Senior National Disease Surveillance Officer then announced that, the latest incidence reported on the outbreak of Avian Influenza was in Togo, noting that the disease has affected poultry farms in Nigeria and other countries in both Africa and the world at large.