Bird Flu Hits Five Additional States

The Minister of   Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, yesterday said Nigeria was not in a state of bird flu epidemic (Avian Influenza), as the disease had hit only seven states of the federation. This is just as the government assured that insurance facilities would be considered, so as to ensure farmers do not suffer complete loss. Adesina, who addressed a press conference yesterday in Abuja, disclosed that a total number of 140, 390 birds have been associated with H5N1 virus bird flu exposures, while 22, 573, which represents 16 per cent mortality was recorded. According to him, the states of Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau now have cases of bird flu in addition to Kano and Lagos States which had earlier been reported. “We can now confirm that the cases were due to the H5N1 virus. We are not in any state of epidemic; seven states have so far reported cases of the bird flu: Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau states. To date, 21 commercial farms, 9 live bird markets and one private zoo have been affected in the seven states,” he said. While giving statistics of the outbreak, the minister explained that Kano State recorded the highest number of casualty with a total number of 103,445 birds, followed by Lagos with 31,195 birds. He stated that the ministry would in collaboration with respective state governments; the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) and the Animal Science Association of Nigeria do everything possible to contain the spread. The minister, who said a comprehensive surveillance, quarantine, depopulation and decontamination had been directed nation-wide, noted that all veterinary members of staff of the ministry had been deployed across the country to put the situation under control. He explained further that the federal government in collaboration with the government of Canada had taken measures to enhance bio-security in the county, with the establishment of Bio-security level three facilities (BSC level three facilities) at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State. The facility, according to Adesina enables experts to conduct rapid diagnosis of diseases in Nigeria. The minister, however, noted that well-cooked poultry product was safe for consumption, as he said the main cause of infection is direct contact with infected surfaces or objects contaminated with feces of infected birds. He therefore urged poultry farmers to adhere strictly by bio-security measures and report promptly any suspicion of the disease outbreak to registered veterinary workers.

 Punch (online)