A new strain of Avian Influenza virus, popularly known as
bird flu, has entered Nigeria and spread to 26 states and the Federal Capital
Territory, with over 3.5 million birds affected, the Federal Government has
said.
According to the government, in a
bid to prevent the entry of the disease into their respective countries,
Nigeria’s neighbours have proposed a ban on poultry and poultry products from
Nigeria.
The Minister of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, disclosed this in Abuja
for Tuesday at a consultative meeting with commissioners for
agriculture/livestock, states directors of veterinary services and major
stakeholders in the poultry industry.
Ogbeh explained
that the first outbreak of bird flu in Nigeria was reported in 2006 and spanned
through 2008, but was controlled and eradicated through concerted efforts
facilitated by the availability of resources from a World Bank-sponsored
project and support from the country’s development partners.
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