FG confirms the outbreak of bird flu in seven states. find out the states

The Federal Government has announced the outbreak  of Avian Influenza, popularly known as bird flu, is now in 123 local government areas and 800 poultry farms across the country.

According to the government, six states and the Federal Capital Territory had reported the disease in 2017, adding that the last reported outbreak was from Kaduna State on May 30 this year.

In a document presented to commissioners of agriculture from the 36 states of the federation by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Friday, which was obtained by our correspondent in Abuja, the Federal Government explained that aside Kaduna, other states where the cases of bird flu were reported this year, include Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa and Plateau.

Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease, initially of birds but affects other animal species and humans.

The disease is spread by migratory wild birds and movement of infected birds and products, which can have serious socio-economic, public health, as well as security implications.

Experts say the disease can kill all birds in a poultry farm and can cause 100 per cent mortality.

The disease was first reported in Nigeria in 2006 and was successfully controlled and eradicated in July 2008.

However, bird flu reoccurred in a commercial poultry farm in Kano, as well as in a live bird market in Lagos in December 2014.

In November 2016, an isolated case of a new sub-type (H5N8) of the virus was identified in Kano State, from where it eventually spread to other states.

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )