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Accueil > Population > Communicable Diseases > Emerging Diseases : ... Avian flu and Buruli Ulcer Disease

Emerging Diseases : ... Avian flu and Buruli Ulcer Disease

In 2006, Nigeria was the first African country to report H5N1 strain avian flu cases. The virus was isolated in several regions, including along the border with Niger, Cameroon and Benin.

Niger and Cameroon soon followed, confirming the presence of the H5N1 strain in regions bordering Nigeria, then Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire. In 2007, Ghana, Togo and Benin were added to the list of affected West African countries. While the virus was introduced through wild birds in Africa, it seems that its spread was caused by commercial activities. However, the infection seems limited to birds and the aggressive measures taken during each outbreak succeeded in limiting the epizooty’s spread.

Living and housing conditions (close cohabitation with poultry) create a predisposition for H5N1 infections in humans, mainly women and children who are most often in direct contact with poultry, which makes them more vulnerable. Even if the best health care conditions are provided, these infections have a very high lethality rate (over 50%).

Buruli ulcer disease is a subcutaneous tissue infection caused by the Mycobacterium ulcerans, which causes deep ulcerations and necroses. Buruli ulcer disease has an enormous socio-economic impact on affected populations and constitutes a serious public health problem in terms of morbidity, treatment and functional disabilities. Although spontaneous healing may take place, it occurs after months of progression and leaves affected patients with deep scarring, retractions and deformations.

Since 1980, the disease’s detection rate has risen considerably. The disease often occurs in isolated areas and affects children in the 10-14 age group, in particular. Buruli ulcer disease has been reported in 30 tropical countries, including Australia, but West Africa remains the most affected region : 5,700 cases between 1989 and 2003 in Benin and 17,000 between 1978 and 2003 in Côte d’Ivoire, where prevalence reaches 16% in some villages. In Ghana, 5,600 cases were detected during a national survey in 1999.