FOOD NEWS
AGAIN the Nigerian poultry industry is under threat from the incursion of Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu, which has the capability of infecting both birds and humans. All these point to apparent bio-security relaxation and breach, which has resulted in animal health challenges in some poultry farms.http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/sunday-magazine-sp-509870158/195178-bird-flu-rising-to-protect-the-poultry-sector
At the last counted last week, a total of 139,505 birds have been associated with bird flu exposures in seven states of Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Plateau, Edo and Rivers with 22,173 or 15 per cent dead.
According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina in a statement, 15 commercial farms and nine live Bird Markets have been affected in these states. He was quick to point out that from hindsight, we are not in a state of any epidemic.
He revealed the most affected state as Kano, where the initial case of the bird flu was found. With a total of 103,445 birds reportedly exposed to the infection in Kano State, 15,963 have died as a result, leaving 15 per cent mortality like in the national overall. These cases were found in Gwale, Kumbotso, Tofa, Gaya and Ungogo local governments.
In the southwest, the heaviest poultry production belt of the federation, Ogun State, has in Sagamu reported two locations with one positive case at Ifo and another negative case, Sabo.
Of the 1,030 birds currently under watch in the two locations, 163 have experienced mortality.
In Lagos State, the total number of birds under close watch is 31,195 and 3,347 are reported dead from the disease.
Adesina said, “The three confirmed cases were from Somolu and Eti Osa local governments. All the farms have been quarantined and decontaminated. Other locations in Ikorodu, Ojo and Lagos Mainland have already been quarantined, while awaiting confirmation.”
Other states like Rivers, Delta, Edo and Plateau have figures ranging between 200 and 1,550 mortalities.
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