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, Punch reports.
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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