Health authorities in Madagascar have sought help from three United Nations agencies to contain an outbreak of the deadly Rift Valley Fever that has killed 17 people and infected 59 others.

A UN press statement said Friday that officials in Madagascar have asked the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health to undertake a joint mission to the country to support their efforts to contain theviral hemorrhagic disease

Because of the weak demand for camera supplies as more consumers shift to digital photography, Japanese firm Fujifilm is shifting to pharmaceuticals. The company announced it will purchase 66 percent of Toyama Chemical Company that is experimenting on an influenza medicine capable of battling bird flu.

Following the announcement of Fujifilm's diversification, its price on the Tokyo Stock Exchange went up Tuesday by 1 percent to $36.69 (3,940 yen) per share, while Toyama shares were constant at $8.14 (874 yen) per share

The viral hemorrhagic disease called the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) claimed 12 more lives, bringing the death toll in three eastern Sudan states to 96. At least 329 cases of RVF have been confirmed this week, up from 228 cases reported a week ago, the World Health Organization says.

The outbreak has so far been confined largely to the states of White Nile, Sinnar and Gezira

At least 75 people have died following an outbreak of Rift Valley fever in Kenya over the past three weeks, officials said on Monday, adding that the risks could become even greater.

At least a million livestock in the affected regions have been vaccinated as the disease has reportedly infected nearly 200 people since it was first reported in late December 2006