Bird Flu Hits Lagos, Kano

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Thursday
announced that there had been unusual high mortality in two poultry
farms and live bird markets in Kano and Lagos states.

The ministry said the bird's blood samples forwarded to the National
Veterinary Research Institute tested positive for H5 Strain of Avian
Influenza virus, otherwise known as bird flu, adding that another
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.

FMARD said it had quarantined the infected premises and placed
restriction of movement on 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 components 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 were
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."

A veterinary doctor, Dr. Femi Oboye, said government must embark on a
massive vaccination of birds at poultry farms across the country.
--PUNCH.