The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), said that Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States have reported confirmed human cases of Avian Influenza H5N1 also called “Bird flu.”

The NCDC Director General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja, while providing highlights of the epidemiological situation and response activities in Nigeria.

NAN reports that Avian Influenza are strains of the influenza virus that primarily infect birds, but can also infect humans.

This type of flu is most often contracted by contact with sick birds, and can also be passed from person to person. It spreads by airborne respiratory droplets (coughs or sneezes).

Symptoms begin within two to eight days, and are like the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath may occur.

Ihekweazu said as of March 24, 2021, the seven states reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases (H5N1) in poultries.

“Health National Rapid Response Team (RRT) from NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture were deployed to Bauchi, Kano and Plateau States.

“A total of 83 human samples were received and 64 (87.7 per cent) samples were tested. Of the tested samples, seven (10.9 per cent) were positive for Flu A, six 85.7 per cent were subtype A/H5 while one 14.3 per cent was unsub-typable,” he explained.

The NCDC boss said official notification about the outbreak had been conveyed to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR).

He added that an official report had also been sent to the authorities at both Federal level and the affected states.

“Avian influenza outbreak Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at level 1 has been activated at national and in two states (Plateau and Gombe).

“Seven confirmed samples have been shipped to the WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO-CC) in the United States (US) for further characterisation,” he noted.

Speaking on the response activities, he said a second session of EOC had been conducted with review of outbreak situation, response Terms of Reference (TORs) and Incident Actions Plan (IAPs).

“Seven states: Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger States have confirmed cases of Avian Influenza among poultry.

“Two states have reported seven cases among humans – Kano four and Plateau three. Only Kano, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States have had human contacts of birds followed up,” he said.

According to him, of the 83 contacts reported, 27 contacts are from three Local Government Areas (LGAs); Nasarawa, Ungogo and Gwale in Kano State.

The others are: 18 contacts from two LGAs (Jos North and South) in Plateau; 19 contacts from two LGAs (Bauchi and Toro) in Bauchi State, and 19 contacts from three LGAs (Kaltungo, Yamaltu Deba and Gombe) in Gombe State.

Ihekweazu stated that all contacts were farmers, farm workers, bird handlers and traders, adding that the contacts were still asymptomatic except one who presented catarrh.

“A total of 83 human nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal samples have been collected from contacts of confirmed birds in four states: Kano (27), Plateau (18), Bauchi (19) and Gombe (19).

“A total of 13 blood samples have also been collected from the very-close contacts (human) of the birds in three states: Plateau (3), Bauchi (5), and Gombe (5).

“Of 83 human samples collected, 64 (87.7 per cent) samples were analysed using Real time Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of 64 samples analysed, only 7 (10.9 per cent) were positive for Flu A.

“Of the seven samples positive for Flu A, only six “85.7 per cent “were positive for A/H5 while one (14.3 per cent) was unsubtypable. All seven positive samples have been shipped to WHO Coordinating centre for further lab analysis,” he said.

The NCDC boss noted that sensitisation was carried out by the national and state RRT to farm owners, workers, Live Bird Market (LBM) associations and communities in the affected states.

He added that biosecurity measures were extensively discussed for the benefit of the farmers and communities.

Righteousness2:
Hope Una Vaccine will take care of this also..

Amotolongbo:
Why didn’t your prayers prevent it?

No vaccines yet for it
But you have being praying night and day against disease such as this.
Aren’t you meant to be shameful that your prayers are useless?

Righteousness2:


If not our Prayers and Mercies of GOD, you should be lying 6ft now the way it was in other nations and Continents.

Righteousness2:


If not our Prayers and Mercies of GOD, you should be lying 6ft now the way it was in other nations and Continents.

You think what happened in our Nation was luck?
Corona Virus contained in our Nation was not luck , technology, Government, Mask , Exercise or by the food you eat. It was as a result of the Prayers of the People of GOD. You are just a privilege beneficiary of the Grace upon the righteous ones.[/s]

Amotolongbo:
So all your day and night prayers, these are all the problems it can solve in our nation?

China with no prayer for your God’s mercies are doing so fine. Same as many other countries that aren’t as religious as Nigeria

So this is the extent to which your god’s mercies can go in Nigeria?
Can things be worse than this in Nigeria, if you aren’t praying?

You are just a phool with no knowledge of God but spamming nairaland for likes

JidennaJason:
You made a good point, but the insult was not necessary.

Amotolongbo:
The poster has insulted me many times also

Righteousness2:


You are a Definition a Mere creature with a Comprehensive Lack of knowledge of her Existence.
I Pray the Mercy redeem you before it is late.

Righteousness2:


You are a Definition a Mere creature with a Comprehensive Lack of knowledge of her Existence.
I Pray the Mercy redeem you before it is late.

JidennaJason:
Baba, calm down.

Righteousness2:

My Brother, it is unfortunate when u see mere creatures who could switch off at any Moment running their mouth against their owners.
That's a Clear Path to Destruction and Premium tears.
It's good you do your bit help them out before it is late.

Amotolongbo:
If you understand what God is and what God is not, you won’t say this nonsense.

I pray your eyes of understanding is opened

Righteousness2:

My Brother, it is unfortunate when u see mere creatures who could switch off at any Moment running their mouth against their owners.
That's a Clear Path to Destruction and Premium tears.
It's good you do your bit help them out before it is late.

JidennaJason:


I go leave this country for una oooh!!!