Agric Minister Confirms Cases Of Bird Flu In Seven Nigerian States

   

The Federal government has confirmed that the highly transmittable avian influenza viral disease--aka--Bird flu has spread to five more states asides Lagos and Kano where it was first recorded in Nigeria earlier this month (January 8th). The states with the latest cases of the disease in poultry animals are Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau states.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, Jan 21st the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina said the bird flu exposures had resulted in the mortality of over 22,573 of the birds across the country.

According to the Minister, adequate measures had been put in place to contain the spread of the disease to other parts of the country, he advised Nigerians to ensure proper hygiene and ensure proper cooking of poultry products. Also, plans are underway to pay insurance benefits to owners of the affected poultry.

Avian influenza is a type of viral disease affiliated to birds only and is an infectious disease.

All state directors of veterinary services and the FCT Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and other stakeholders had been informed and advised to be on alert with intensified bio-security measures to avert possible spread of the disease to other states.