Taraba State Govt raises alarm over outbreak of Bird Flu
Taraba State government has raised the alarm over an outbreak of Avian Influenza Virus (Bird Flu) in some parts of Wukari Local Government Area of the State.
State Commissioner of Agriculture Professor Nicholas Namessan disclose this at a Press conference in Jalingo on Saturday.
Namessan, who was represented by Director Veterinary Services in the Ministry Dr Francis Nathan, said that measures are already in place to avoid the spread of the outbreak to other parts of the State and ensure adequate sensitisation to contain the situation.
“I call to brief you on the outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus commonly known as Bird Flu in Jibu area of Wukari Local Government. Last Friday, we received distress call from our field officers in the area about birds dying in large numbers. We quickly mobilised our team to the area and samples were taken for testing.
“On 29th of October, the samples came out positive of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus. On behalf of the Chief Veterinary officer in Nigerian and with his permission, I hereby declare Taraba State as positive to the Avian Influenza Virus.
“In response, we have formed teams of Rapid response units who are presently on their way to Wukari for consultation with relevant stakeholders and impose a ban of movement of birds and poultry products in and out of Jibu/Kakari/Yamini axis.
“We are also going to impose a ban on live birds market in that axis to include Doruwa, Bantaje and Yamini markets”.
He noted that Bird flu is a zoonotic disease that can affect humans with serious mortality rate and therefore advice the people in the affected areas to suspend the consumption of birds of all kinds. If they must, the should cook it the African way.
“We also advice poultry farmers to intensify security. People should not panic as we are trying to contain the situation. The public should report sudden death of birds to the nearest veterinary clinics. People who have come in contact with birds and now experience Flu like symptoms should quickly report to the nearest hospital for immediate assistance.
“Let me use this opportunity to call on our development partners to join hands with us and support us to contain this outbreak before it gets out of hand. For now, there has been no news of any human infection but we are not leaving anything to chance. That is why we have alerted the hospitals to also be on the lookout”.
