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You're watching UNICEF Television.

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The coastal city of Lagos is the most populous place in Nigeria,

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if not in all of Africa.

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When Nigeria uncovered its first human case of avian influenza,

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it struck here.

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In December 2006,

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a housewife bought some chickens in a market like this.

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Three weeks later, a 22-year-old daughter died of the disease.

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Prior to this first human casualty,

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outbreaks among poultry have also been reported throughout Nigeria,

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causing widespread panic and economic loss.

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Before the rumor of bird flu came out saying that people shouldn't eat chicken,

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I would normally sell 40 to 60 birds within a week.

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But now I only sell 10 in two to three weeks.

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By handling live birds daily, slaughtering and plucking them,

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poultry sellers like these are putting themselves at high risk.

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The unsanitary conditions also threaten the well-being of children.

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Brought to the cramped market by their mothers who work here,

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they often nap or play close to the bird cages.

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This announcer from the Lagos local government

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is asking the vendors and shoppers in the market

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to come to a bird flu awareness meeting.

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Quarrels break out when he runs into the poultry sellers.

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Many are still in denial.

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As you can see, people are buying chickens and slaughtering them for eating.

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The bird flu you are talking about does not concern us here.

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After intense persuasion, some of the women from the market come to the meeting.

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Together with other women representing different communities,

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they learn what bird flu is and how to protect themselves and their families.

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Before, I thought that the bird flu campaign was a way to ruin our business.

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But now that I've come to this meeting, I know what it is.

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Now, all that we ought to do about cleanliness and hygiene, we will do.

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With funding provided by the Japanese government,

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UNICEF is committed to helping Nigeria halt the spread of avian influenza.

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The work will continue till the entire public is educated and empowered,

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knowing what precautions they can take against this deadly threat.

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In Lagos, Nigeria, this is Kunli reporting for UNICEF Television.

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Unite for Children.