Uganda’s agriculture ministry says all bird specimen collected along lake victoria tested positive to the highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The samples were from carcasses of the white winged black tern birds that settle along the lake.
Wildlife authorities reported sudden deaths of the bird specie early this month.
Other samples that tested positive were of domestic birds on another landing site on lake victoria.
“It is a complicated situation because the birds are flying and we cannot decide where they are going next..so the most important strategy is to give information to people..not to touch these birds which have died.” Said Anne Rose Ademun, Veterinary Officer
There are no known cases of human infection so far. Ugandan officials however say the risk to public health from the virus is still very low.
Uganda remains a major migratory route for birds and investigations are under way to understand the origin of the disease.
