Ivorian poultry industry suffers over bird flu fears

Although only two outbreaks of avian influenza among poultry have been reported in Côte d'Ivoire, and no human deaths, the illness has taken a significant financial and humanitarian toll. The country's many poultry producers are losing their domestic and foreign markets, while speculations over a sudden "mysterious" death wave are hindering investments.

The H5N1 virus has resulted in a loss of more US$ 20 million to traditional and industrial poultry producers as demand has dropped, according to a recent study on the impact of avian influenza on the country's economy. Côte d'Ivoire stepped up its surveillance of avian flu after the first human death from the virus, of a woman in Nigeria.

Poultry processing plants have suffered the biggest losses, said the study requested by the government's Commission for the Fight Against Avian Influenza. A recent workshop in Abidjan examined the impact of avian flu and discussed ways to offset losses, including compensation, to the country's poultry industry. The government report said poultry importers had lost some US$ 4.5 million while the producers of poultry products were down about $ 4.2 million dollars. Egg wholesalers individually lost on average US$ 156,000.

"Each hatchery has lost on average nearly US$ 7 million each month since the discovery of the two cases of the H5N1 virus in 2006 in the country," the study said. The first case of avian flu in Côte d'Ivoire was reported in April 2006. The formed its central avian flu committee then and a mass culling of poultry followed. Another outbreak at a poultry farm outside of Abidjan occurred in November.

Isac Kouamé Adi, director general of Coco Service, which specialises in the production of fresh eggs, said his company has suffered the consequences of avian flu. "We have seen a drop in consumption," he said. "We have taken all sanitary precautions to assure safe consumption."

The consumption of poultry and poultry products has dropped by about 51 percent, according to the report. Because of the drop in demand for poultry and poultry products, 450 farm labourers have lost their jobs and another 15,000 risk being out of work. "Today, 53 percent of the poultry retailers and 71 percent of the wholesalers have partially abandoned their activities," the study said.