By Ahmed Kaigama
Bauchi, Jan. 17, 2022 (NAN) The Bauchi State Government says it has culled 65,121 birds to stem further spread of avian flu in Bauchi and Toro Local Government Areas of the State.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Jidauna Tula, who stated this at a news conference on Monday in Bauchi, said the infected birds were culled in December 2021.
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), avian influenza refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses.
These viruses occur naturally among wild aquatic birds worldwide and can infect domestic poultry, other bird and animal species.
Avian flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with avian flu viruses have occurred.
Tula said the disease manifested in 15 poultry farms in Bauchi and Toro, noting that the outbreak resulted to the lost of 65,121 various species of birds.
He said the state government had scaled up surveillance, monitoring as well as sensitisation of communities and stakeholders to create awareness on detection of flu-infected bird.
“The recent resurfacing of the disease may not be unconnected with increase in movement of poultry and poultry products within the state and our neighboring states due to festivities, and harmatan made spread of the virus easier,” he said.
While warning poultry farmers to adhere strictly to bio-safety and avoid transacting in sick birds, Tula urged them to report suspected cases of the disease to the veterinary facilities in their communities.
The Commissioner further revealed that 30 cases of rabies were recorded from 2019 to date in the state.
Tula said the cases had been confirmed by the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom, Plateau.
He said that the cases involved stray dogs which had bitten innocent victims, adding that the disease was endemic due to its pattern of spread across the state.
“The disease is still prevalent in spite of combined efforts of federal and state government through procurement of vaccines, logistics and massive vaccination against the disease in 20 LGAs,” he said.
He stressed the need for dog keepers to ensure timely vaccination of their animals, and report suspected cases to the nearest veterinary clinic.
The Commissioner warned veterinary drugs vendors against circulation of counterfeit and expired drugs, adding that the enforcement team of the ministry had seized large quantity of fake drugs in the rural areas of the state.
Avian flu: Bauchi culled 65,121 birds in 2021 – Official
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