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The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development on Thursday announced that there
has been unusual high mortality in two poultry
farms and live bird markets in Kano and Lagos
States.
It said samples forwarded to the National
Veterinary Research Institute tested positive for
H5 strain of Avian Influenza Virus, otherwise
known as bird flu, adding that confirmatory
samples were sent to the International Reference
Laboratory in Padova, Italy, for further
characterisation.
Avian influenza, known informally as Avian flu
or bird flu, refers to influenza caused by viruses
adapted to birds.
Influenza, commonly known as ‘flu’ is an
infectious disease caused by the influenza virus.
The ministry, in a statement, noted that it had
taken some measures in the affected sites to
contain the reported outbreaks.
According to the FMARD, it had quarantined the
infected premises and placed restriction of
movement of poultry and poultry products into
and out of areas around infected premises.
It said, “All state directors of veterinary services
and the Federal Capital Territory, Poultry
Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders
have been informed and advised to be on alert
with intensified bio-security measures to avert
possible spread of the disease to other states.
“The World Organisation for Animal Health and
Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resource and
development partners have been appropriately
notified in compliance with our statutory
international obligations.”
It added that it had ensured immediate
reactivation of all animal health component of
the Emergency Preparedness Plan on bird flu for
Nigeria, adding that the conduct of surveillance
activities around infected areas to determine the
level of spread of the disease was being
undertaken.
FMARD said, “All stakeholders in the poultry
industry are urged to enhance hygienic practices
(bio-security measures) which include, but not
limited to, regular disinfection, proper disposal of
dead carcasses and poultry products and timely
reporting of mortalities in poultry and other bird
species to veterinary authorities.
“We wish to assure the public that, given our
experiences in handling previous outbreaks and
with your full cooperation in the implementation
of containment measures, we are determined to
contain this disease again within a short time.
We will keep you informed as events unfold.
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