Ebonyi Confirms Outbreak Of Bird Flu

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, January 18th, 2016

By Ignatius Okpara, Enugu Abakaliki

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Ebonyi State Government has confirmed outbreak of the Avian Influenza also known as (bird flu) infection in the South Eastern State.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Orji Uchenna, disclosed this to newsmen in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital last weekend.

He stated 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.

According to the Commissioner, after the detection, officials of the state veterinary services took a sample to a research institute in Jos, the Plateau State capital, where it was confirmed that the birds died from the H5NI strains of the Avian Influenza.

Mr. Uchenna therefore, 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.

In his reaction, Director of Veterinary Service and Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ibiam Okoro, who led the Commissioner to the farm, said the department had already mounted surveillance to contain the possible spread of the virus.

The Director, who stressed that the strain detected in the farm was only transmissible from animal to animal, warned poultry farmers and the people of the state against the sale or consumption of sick or dead chicken.

Also commenting on the development, the Avian Influenza Control Project Desk Officer in the state, Dr. Rita Okoro, said the alarm by the owner of the farm assisted in checking the spread of the virus to other farms.