The minister of agriculture and rural development,
Dr Akinwumi Adesina, has disclosed that Nigeria is
under the scourge of the deadly H5 strain of Avian
Influenza virus.
"The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural
Development (FMARD) wishes to notify the general
public that an unusual high mortality has been
reported in two poultry farms and live bird markets
in Kano and Lagos States.
"The samples forwarded to the National Veterinary
Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, tested positive for
the H5 strain of Avian Influenza virus and
confirmatory samples have been sent to the
International Reference Laboratory in Padova, Italy,
for further characterisation," a press statement
obtained by LEADERSHIP Friday, yesterday, read in
part.
However, the minister has assured that it is on top of
the situation, saying, "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."
The statement added that the ministry had taken
measures such as quarantining infected premises
and restriction of the movement of poultry and
poultry products into and out of affected sites. It
added that all state directors of veterinary services,
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the
Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and other
stakeholders have been informed and advised to be
on alert with intensified bio-security measures to
avert the possible spread of the disease to other
states.
"The World Organisation for Animal Health, Inter
African Bureau For Animal Resource and
Development Partners have been appropriately
notified in compliance with our statutory
international obligations as well as the immediate
re-activation of all animal health component of the
Emergency Preparedness Plan (EPP) on Bird flu for
Nigeria as well as conduct of surveillance activities
around infected areas to determine the level of
spread of the disease," the minister said.
The minister called on all stakeholders in the poultry
industry to enhance hygienic practices (bio-security
measures) which include, but is 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.

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