Tag Archives: Bird Flu

China confirms 2nd human bird flu infection this week

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Chinese authorities have confirmed a second case of human bird flu infection this week, state media reported late on Wednesday, as South Korea and Japan battle to control outbreaks of the deadly virus.

Local authorities ordered a halt to poultry sales from Thursday in the Siming district of Xiamen city, in China’s eastern-Fujian-province, after a 44-year-old man was diagnosed with the H7N9-avian-flu on Sunday, media reported citing the city’s diseases-prevention and control-centre.

The patient is being treated in the hospital and is in stable condition, it said.

The latest incident comes after Hong Kong confirmed an elderly man was diagnosed with the disease earlier this week.

Both cases come as South Korea and Japan have ordered the killing of tens of millions of birds in the past month, stoking fears of regional spread.

Concerns about the spread of the virulent airborne bird flu comes as farmers in China are preparing for the year’s peak demand during Lunar New Year celebrations at the end of January.

In light of the recent outbreaks in nearby countries, they are feeding their flocks more vitamins and vaccines and ramping up henhouse sterilisations in a bid to protect their birds.

On Wednesday, Chinese authorities said they would ban imports of poultry from countries where there are outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu.

It already prohibits imports from more than 60 nations, including Japan and South Korea.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in March 2013 in China.

BREAKING: Bird flu hits Kano, Lagos State again

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The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Thursday announced that there had been unusual high mortality in two poultry farms and live bird markets in Kano and Lagos states.

The ministry said the bird’s blood samples forwarded to the National Veterinary Research Institute tested positive for H5 Strain of Avian Influenza virus, otherwise known as bird flu, adding that another confirmatory samples were sent to the International Reference Laboratory in Padova, Italy for further characterization.

Avian influenza, known informally as Avian flu or bird flu, refers to influenza caused by viruses adapted to birds. Influenza, commonly known as ‘flu’ is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus.

The ministry, in a statement, noted that it had taken some measures in the affected sites to contain the reported outbreaks.

FMARD said it had quarantined the infected premises and placed restriction of movement on poultry and poultry products into and out of areas around infected premises.

It said, “All state Directors of Veterinary Services and the Federal Capital Territory, Poultry Association of Nigeria and other stakeholders have been informed and advised to be on alert with intensified bio-security measures to avert possible spread of the disease to other states.

“The World Organisation for Animal Health and Inter African Bureau for Animal Resource and development partners have been appropriately notified in compliance with our statutory international obligations.”

It added that it had ensured immediate reactivation of all animal health components of the Emergency Preparedness Plan on bird flu for Nigeria, adding that the conduct of surveillance activities around infected areas to determine the level of spread of the disease were being undertaken.

FMARD said, “All stakeholders in the poultry industry are urged to enhance hygienic practices (bio-security measures) which include but not limited to regular disinfection, proper disposal of dead carcasses and poultry products and timely reporting of mortalities in poultry and other bird species to veterinary authorities.

“We wish to assure the public that given our experiences in handling previous outbreaks and with your full cooperation in the implementation of containment measures, we are determined to contain this disease again within a short time. We will keep you informed as events unfold.”

Bird Flu Hits Ebonyi

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Ebonyi State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Orji Uchenna, has confirmed the detection of the first case of Avian Influenza (bird flu) infection in the state.

Disclosing this in Abakaliki, Uchenna said the virus was detected in a poultry farm at Ugwuachara area of the state capital, adding that the attention of his ministry was drawn to the development following death of birds.

He stated that officials of the state veterinary services took a sample to a research institute in Jos, where it was confirmed that the birds died from the H5NI strains of the Avian Influenza.

Mr. Uchenna directed the veterinary department of the ministry to isolate the farm and take inventory of all poultry and ancillary farms in the state, while sustaining enlightenment on the influenza.

Credit: Vanguard

Plateau State Confirms Fresh Cases Of Bird Flu

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The Plateau State Government on Friday announced a fresh outbreak of Avian Influenza, saying that the bird flu had so far affected six farms.

The announcement is contained in a statement signed by the state’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Doris Bitrus, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria in Jos.

According to him, the fresh cases of bird flu were reported to the Ministry of Health on January 8.

“Six farms have been confirmed positive of the disease; the farms host a total of 10,000 birds,” the statement said.

It said the government had taken proactive measures to contain and control the disease, so as to arrest its spread to other farms.

The statement advised poultry farmers and live bird marketers to step up bio-safety and hygienic measures within and around their farms and markets.

The government also advised members of the public to avoid the sale, slaughter and consumption of sick birds, adding that chicken products should be properly cooked before consumption.

It, however, advised Plateau residents to remain calm and report any disease suspected to be avian influenza to the control project office of the Veterinary Hospital, Jos.

Credit: NAN