BIRD FLUD KILLS IN NIGERIA

BBCNEWS

Many Nigerians earn their living from the poultry tradeA Nigerian woman who died suffering from flu symptoms has tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain of the avian flu virus, says a government minister.
It is the first bird flu death reported in sub-Saharan Africa since it first emerged in Nigeria a year ago.
The victim was a 22-year-old from the commercial capital, Lagos.
Health officials said inconclusive tests had also been carried out on her mother and two other people, all of whom died recently.
"Last night our team of 13 scientists were able to conclusively identify the case of avian influenza," Nigerian Information Minister Frank Nweke Jnr told a news conference in Lagos.
He said blood samples were now being sent to foreign laboratories and the findings are now with the World Health Organisation for further scrutiny.
More than 160 people have died of H5N1 bird flu since it's outbreak in December 2003 - most of them in South-East Asia
Fears
The UN had expressed concerns about the Nigerian government response to the disease - as poultry are still being moved around by local farmers despite an official quarantine and promised compensation for infected birds.

Quarantines have not been working
It is understood that the dead woman bought the infected chickens from a local farmer.
Dr Abdulsalam Nasidi, leader of Nigerian government's team of experts on bird flu, told the BBC News website that those that contracted the virus were those that had been dealing with the killing and preparation of the chicken and not those that ate it
"This goes to show that properly cooked chicken is safe, but handling infected birds can be hazardous," he said
Cross-infection to humans is relatively rare and usually occurs where people have been in close contact with infected birds.

Indian Female Police Arrived

A contingent of formed Indian female police yesterday arrived in the country to beef up the United Nations Police in Liberia (UNPOL).
Arriving on board a huge Pakistani aircraft, Air Blue, the Indian female police, will assist with ongoing capacity training to empower the strength of the Liberia National Police (LNP).
Briefing journalists upon the contingent’s arrival at the Robert International Airport (RIA), UNPOL Commissioner Mr. Mohammed Alhassan said, the UNMIL was delighted to welcome their colleagues, who, he said had arrived to augment the UNPOL capacity, under UNMIL under the lead of United Nations Secretary General Special Representative (SRSC), Mr. Alan Doss.
With the arrival of the Indian formed all female police unit in Liberia, it is the first of its kind since the origin of the UN over 60 years, ago.
The UNPOL boss indicated that UNMIL and Liberia are fortunate to have a well trained 125 female formed police to help stand in the way of crimes in the country.
The Indian formed female police, attired in blue uniform, reflecting the UN color, according to their commander, Commandant Seema Dhundia, will resist any unusual acts and are readiness to beef up the capacity of LNP through UNPOL.