In reference to the statement of Dr Dewan Sibartie in Thursday 10th August 2006 edition of l?express regarding Avian Influenza, I would like to make the following comments:

■ National Avian Influenza Committee

Mauritius is one of the few countries which have set up a National Avian Influenza Committee with representatives from the public and private sectors. The committee meets on a regular basis and a lot of decisions have been adopted. Besides, there has been a simulation exercise in line with the requirement of the OIE.

■ A.I. Vaccination

Mauritius is a very small country with a high avian population. We need to protect both the poultry industry and the human population. We cannot wait for an outbreak of avian influenza with the H5N1 virus to start vaccinating the birds. It will be too late. Besides, it is not true to say that we are doing a mass vaccination. Broilers, some parent stocks and the small commercial layers are not vaccinated. There are SENTINEL birds (not vaccinated) in the vaccinated farms as recommended by the O.I.E.

In case the H5N1 virus penetrates into a vaccinated farm, the SENTINEL birds will die immediately. Tests will be carried out and if positive, we shall adopt the measures found in the contingency plan.

It is impossible for the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus to infect the vaccinated birds without killing the unvaccinated birds. Thus, it will not have the necessary time to mutate.

■ Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

In Mauritius, the Virology Department of the Ministry of Health at Victoria Hospital is the Reference Laboratory of WHO for Human Influenza. This laboratory is equipped with the PCR machine and has a well trained staff. As the reagents for avian influenza kits are very expensive, it is advisable that the Ministry of Agroindustry and the Ministry of Health work in close collaboration to buy these reagents to be used at the Virology Department at the Victoria Hospital. This will not only confirm the presence of the H5N1 virus but also help in the differentiation between the vaccine type virus and low pathogenic virus.

It will take time to train the personnel to master the methodology and the interpretation of the PCR. Besides, we need virologists specialized in molecular biology to perform such duties.

■ Entrance of birds

The authorities have taken the necessary measures to prevent the illegal entrance of exotic birds in this country. Nowadays, the customs at the harbour are very vigilant and we have obtained the proof some weeks ago.

■ Migratory birds

The Division of Veterinary Services has done the tests for A.I. on the faeces obtained from the estuary of Terre Rouge. It is possible to increase the number and the frequency of the samples during the migratory period. It should be pointed out that in Europe, it was only in the DEAD migratory birds (ducks, swan) that the H5N1 virus had been found. In the USA, President Bush has allocated 29 million dollars for the year 2006 for the wild bird monitoring plan. Mauritius does not have such financial resources to invest in this type of programme.

■ Importation of chicks

Mauritius is following the guidelines of the OIE as far as the importation of chicks is concerned. Mauritius does not import any bird from a country which has been declared infected with avian influenza by the OIE. But as soon as the OIE. informs that this particular country is now free from the disease, then the importation is resumed. Besides, there is no country which will allow the importation of live birds from a place infected with the H5N1 virus.

Dr Ismet MAMODE Veterinary Consultant