Western Ecological Research Center
Movements of migratory waterfowl in the Middle East: | ||
Identifying at-risk areas for spread of avian influenza into Egypt | ||
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Egypt is located at the intersection of the Black Sea-Mediterranean Flyway and the East Africa-West Asia Flyway and due to spatial overlap in migration pathways is an important site for the potential transmission of avian influenza (AI) between waterfowl. The Highly Pathogenic AI subtype, H5N1 was first detected in Egypt in poultry during 2006 and has subsequently spilled over into human populations. The route of entry of HPAI H5N1 into Egypt remains undetermined, and migratory birds have been suggested as possible dispersers of the virus. The US Geological Survey (Western Ecological Research Center) in collaboration with the US Naval Medical Research Unit, the Egyptian Ministry of the Environment and the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) aim to investigate the migratory ecology and host status of avian influenza amongst waterfowl from Manazala Lake in the Nile Delta. The specific objectives of this project include 1) determination of the migration routes of Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Shoveler, Common Teal, and Marbled Teal marked at wintering areas of Manzala Lake; 2) identification of the breeding areas of these species marked at Manzala Lake, and 3) collection of viral samples and examine the possible role of migratory waterfowl in the spread of HPAI H5N1. |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://werc.wr.usgs.gov/sattrack/egypt/index.html
Page Contact Information: William Perry
Page Last Modified: January 13, 2008
