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.
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