AVIAN INFLUENZA DISEASE IN POULTRY
Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection which can affect all species of birds. Humans may get bird flu from contact with infected birds (chickens, for example) or their infected droppings and secretions. Risk factors include caring for sick birds, killing sick birds, and preparing sick birds for consumption.
NCDC has recorded the outbreak of pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in poultry on 30 farms from seven states in Nigeria.
The affected states include Kano, Delta, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and the Niger States.
Government has destroyed over 24,000 various species of birds infected with avian influenza, Oyo state etc.
This is done to prevent spreading of the disease to other poultry farms.
The farm manager of Adda-Rogo, where the bird flu outbreak occurred, Muhammed Hassan, said over 24,000 fowls, 250 peacocks, 456 guinea fowls and 54 Turkeys affected had been destroyed.
In Delta State over 164,473 birds have so far been killed by the ravaging Avian Influenza popularly known as bird flu in farms across six local government areas of the State.
The main symptoms of Avian influenza are:
-Loss of appetite
-Cessation of egg laying,
-Bluish combs and wattles due to disturbance of blood circulation
-Coughing and sneezing
-Diarrhea.
Sudden death can occur without any previous signs. The mortality rate may reach up to 100% depending on the species, their age, the virus type involved and environmental factors like concurrent bacterial infections.
PREVENTION/CONTROL
At farm level preventive hygienic measures such as cleaning and disinfection are crucial. Disease awareness amongst farmers and cooperation by all people in the poultry sector must ensure that the strictest biosecurity measures are applied to prevent disease spread.
To limit the spread, infected poultry must be killed in a humane way and disposed off safely. Feedingstuffs, contaminated equipment and manure must be destroyed
Post time: Mar-26-2022