From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
Chief Medical Officer, Gwale Veterinary Hospital, Abdullahi Abubakar Gaya, has confirmed the death of 32 chickens as a result of bird flu in his council area
Gaya who spoke to journalists on Wednesday, cautioned residents against eating infected birds, which could have consequences on human health.
He added that investigations were ongoing to confirm whether more birds and human beings had been affected.
“Those who consumed the birds that were slaughtered could become infected. Currently this particularly index case is the only case we have. His birds are 50, majority have died and he slaughtered some.
” We are still investigating. More information are underway.
The general advice is that if you buy a bird, you need to isolate it.
Earlier, Kano State Commissioner of Health, Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, said his Ministry had already, taken charge of the situation, thus halting the disease from spreading to the other parts of the state.
” The bird flu virus was confirmed, and the state Ministry of Agriculture took proactive measures to contain the spread” he stated.
“Immediately upon receipt of the result, the state Ministry of Agriculture pro-actively sealed the place, depopulated the remaining chickens and decontaminated the compound.”
Yusuf assured residents that the situation was under control,, claiming that, “it is not severe enough to be declared an outbreak.”
“The Ministry also decontaminated the premises where live birds are sold in the Janguza market and sensitized sellers on the effects of the bird flu.”
“Surveillance will be intensified in every Local Government Area, especially among poultry and bird rearers, with daily reports sent to the committees” he affirmed.