Q. What type of bird flu is currently causing harm in Nigeria?
A. It is the highly pathogenic influenza A virus subtype H5N1
Q: Is it dangerous to humans
A: Yes.
Since 2003, the H5N1 virus has killed 449 out of the 844 human cases
reported throughout the world. Only one death has been confirmed in
Nigeria. (source: WHO)
Q: How far has it spread?
A: Since
last year, more than 491 farms across 96 local governments in 24 states
of the country have been affected. The latest cases were discovered in
Katsina, Adamawa Bayelsa, Ebonyi and Plateau States. (Source: Department
of Veterinary and Disease Control of the Federal Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development)
Q: What happens to the affected bird and the rest of the flock?
A: The
affected birds are culled alongside all others in the flock. The
standard practice is to compost the birds where they are killed for 30
days. This kills the virus.
Q: How many birds have been destroyed?
A: As of
January 16, the total number of birds that has been destroyed is more
than 2.3 million (Source: Director-General, Poultry Association of
Nigeria (PAN) Mr Onallo Akpa)
Q: How is it affecting the market?
A: Like
every natural disaster, the recent outbreak has resulted in huge losses
to the farms affected. Iraq has banned poultry imports from Nigeria.
That is a blow to the country’s already ailing non-oil export.
Q: What is being done to prevent it?
A: Good
hygiene and bio-security in the farms and swift reporting of suspected
cases. FCT is running sensitization programs. Kano state government has
released N3million for the purchase of disinfectants for farms.
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