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Avian Influenza infection, popularly known as bird flu, has been recorded in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
The virus which was detected at the weekend in a poultry farm located
at Ugwuachara area of Abakaliki has reportedly killed 400 birds.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Uchenna
Orji, confirmed the detection of the virus to newsmen after visiting the
farm for an on-the-spot assessment.
According to him, the attention of his ministry was drawn to the
development following massive death of the birds which
prompted officials of the state veterinary services to take a sample of
the carcass to a research institute in Jos where it was confirmed that
the birds died from the H5NI strains of the Avian Influenza.
Consequently, the farm has been isolated to avoid further spread of the virus in the state.
The director of the 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.
Dr Okoro explained that the strain detected in the farm was only
transmissible from animal to animal and warned poultry farmers and the
people of the state against the sale or consumption of sick or dead
chicken.
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