There were several possible explanations: Either people had hidden them, killed them, eaten them or sold them off. The key to containing the virus is stopping movement of flocks, but traders may take advantage and offer people a low price to be rid of their birds.

The FAO is concerned that donors have neglected the support of public veterinary services.

The FAO believes that eliminating avian influenza among poultry can delay H5N1 virus turning into a form that would create a human pandemic.