Avian
Influenza, popularly referred to as bird flu, is now in 18 states in Nigeria
and has affected over 2.5 million chickens resulting in the loss of several
billions of naira, the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science has said.
Avian Influenza or bird flu is an infectious viral disease of
birds. While most Avian Influenza viruses do not infect humans, a few others
like A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) have caused serious infections in people.
NIAS, which is the regulatory agency of the Federal Government
for the regulation of all matters pertaining to animal husbandry in Nigeria, on
Friday stated that bird flu was spreading so fast and as such all adequate
measures to stop the spread must be enforced.
Asked to state the number of birds affected by the disease, the
Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, NIAS, Dr. Godwin Oyedeji, said, “By the last
count, I think as of yesterday (Thursday), not less than 2.5 million chickens
have been infected and over 700 farms have been affected nationwide. From one
incidence in one state and moving to two states, it has increased and I think
by now we are having it in not less than 18 states.”
“If we cannot prevent wild birds that
carry the influenza from overflying Nigeria and if the virus has come into
Nigeria, then we can prevent, through good animal husbandry practices, the
spread from one farm to the other.”
He noted that something was wrong
somewhere, adding that the institute had gone to the field to ascertain what
was not being done right by poultry farmers.
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