Seven States Now Have Bird Flu - FG

 

The Nigerain Federal Government has today explained that the H5N1 virus bird flu has been discovered in five other states and also in Lagos and Kano.A health worker culls a rooster at a government poultry farm in Lembucharra following a potential threat of the H5 strain of the Avian influenza virus. — Culling began after a fresh outbreak of a potential threat of the H5 strain of the Avian influenza virus on a poultry farm at the Indian Council Research Centre at Lembucharra, about 45km from Agartala. 27th January 2012The government explained that over 140,000 birds were affected in different poultry farms.They said that it is not yet an epidemic but they are working hard to stop the spread of the disease.The government last week revealed about the discovery of Bird flu in the nation, in both Lagos and Kano states.The other five states include:

 (Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau.

Agriculture and Rural Development Minister, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina said: “We are not in a state of any epidemic. Seven states have so far reported cases of the bird flu – Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta and Rivers, Edo and Plateau States. The most affected state has been Kano, where the initial case of the bird flu was found.In all of these states, different levels of interventions, including depopulation, decontamination and quarantine are currently ongoing.”The minister explained that over 140 thousand birds have been recorded with bird flu exposures with 22000 dying so far.He revealed that 15 commercial farms and nine Live Bird Markets have been affected in the five states to date.Avian influenza also known as avian flu or bird flu — refers to “influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds. The version with the greatest concern is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).