Avian influenza outbreak hits Rivers poultry farm

By : Obinna Nwaoku, Port Harcourt

Date: 21 January 2025 8:51pm WAT

HEALTH-BIRD-FLU-FILES-US-health-BIRD FLU-VIRUS

(FILES) This undated handout image obtained on November 22, 2024, courstesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases shows a colorized transmission electron micrograph of avian influenza A H5N1 virus particles (blue), grown in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells. - The first human death linked to bird flu has been reported in the United States, health authorities in the state of Louisiana said January 6, 2024, adding that the patient was elderly and suffered from other pathologies. The patient, aged over 65, had been hospitalized for a respiratory ailment, and was the first serious case of human infection of the H5N1 virus to be detected in the United States. (Photo by HANDOUT / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO /CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES " - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in a 3,000-capacity poultry farm in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The outbreak, reported on Thursday, January 17, 2025, was confirmed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, the affected farm has been placed under strict quarantine to contain the outbreak and prevent further spread of the disease.

The commissioner noted that the birds have been depopulated, and the premises decontaminated using international best practices.

He stated that disinfectant chemicals have been provided for continuous decontamination of the farm and that the ministry’s veterinary teams, in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, have visited the farm and taken necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

He added that the ministry has also launched an awareness campaign to sensitise poultry farmers on best practices to prevent the disease.

The campaign, he further said, is being carried out in collaboration with various organisations such as the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, and aims to educate farmers and the public about avian influenza, its symptoms, and the importance of biosecurity measures in poultry management.

The commissioner urged poultry farmers and members of the public to report any unusual symptoms in birds, such as sudden death, decreased egg production, respiratory distress, redness in the shank, and swollen comb and wattles.

He assured that the ministry is committed to safeguarding the health of the poultry industry and the public and has asked for the cooperation of all stakeholders, saying:

“By working together and remaining vigilant, the Ministry believes that the impact of the outbreak can be mitigated.

“For further information or to report symptoms, the public can contact the Ministry of Agriculture on 08142631325 or visit their social media platforms: Instagram – rsministryofagriculture, Facebook – Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture.”

He also assured that all necessary measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease and to protect the health of the public.