TY - JOUR AU - Breiman, Robert F. AU - Nasidi, Abdulsalami AU - Katz, Mark A. AU - Njenga, M. Kariuki AU - Vertefeuille, John T1 - Preparedness for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Pandemic in Africa T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2007 VL - 13 IS - 10 SP - 1453 SN - 1080-6059 AB - Global concerns about an impending influenza pandemic escalated when highly pathogenic influenza A subtype H5N1 appeared in Nigeria in January 2006. The potential devastation from emergence of a pandemic strain in Africa has led to a sudden shift of public health focus to pandemic preparedness. Preparedness and control activities must work within the already strained capacity of health infrastructure in Africa to respond to immense existing public health problems. Massive attention and resources directed toward influenza could distort priorities and damage critical public health programs. Responses to concerns about pandemic influenza should strengthen human and veterinary surveillance and laboratory capacity to help address a variety of health threats. Experiences in Asia should provide bases for reassessing strategies for Africa and elsewhere. Fowl depopulation strategies will need to be adapted for Africa. Additionally, the role of avian vaccines should be comprehensively evaluated and clearly defined. KW - Influenza KW - avian KW - Africa KW - H5N1 KW - capacity KW - Nigeria KW - surveillance KW - pandemic KW - IDSR KW - health priorities KW - research DO - 10.3201/eid1310.070400 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/13/10/07-0400_article ER - End of Reference