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.
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.”
