The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been confirmed in Afghanistan in six samples. The samples were taken from birds found in the Dasht-e-Barchi district of Kabul, from Jalalabad City and from Khogiani district. A further six samples from Kandahar and Kunduz tested negative. All of the samples have been tested at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation’s laboratories in Padua, Italy.

The Afghan government has appointed a National Action Committee to coordinate further activities to control the disease and is receiving advice from the Food & Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation.