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NCDC Confirms Bird Flu Outbreak In 7 states

Bird flu, South Korean

Ihekweazu said sensitisation has been carried out in the affected states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says cases of avian influenza (bird flu) have been recorded in seven states in the country.

Chikwe Ihekweazu, director-general of the agency, disclosed this on Tuesday while giving updates of the epidemiological situation and response activities in Nigeria.

According to NAN, Ihekweazu said as of March 24, the seven states reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases (H5N1) in poultries.

He listed the affected states as Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger.

Ihekweazu said the World Health Organisation (WHO), has been officially notified about the epidemic as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR).

“A total of 83 human samples were received and 64 (87.7 percent) samples were tested,” he said.

“Of the tested samples, seven (10.9 per cent) were positive for Flu A, six 85.7 per cent were subtype A/H5 while one 14.3 per cent was unsub-typable.

“Avian influenza outbreak Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at level 1 has been activated at national and in two states (Plateau and Gombe).

Bird flu, South Korean

“Two states have reported seven cases among humans – Kano four and Plateau three. Only Kano, Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States have had human contacts of birds followed up.

Ihekweazu said out of the 83 contacts reported, 27 contacts are from Nasarawa, Ungogo and Gwale LGAs in Kano state.

He said others are 18 contacts from two LGAs (Jos north and south) in Plateau; 19 contacts from two LGAs (Bauchi and Toro) in Bauchi state, and 19 contacts from three LGAs (Kaltungo, Yamaltu Deba and Gombe) in Gombe state.

He said all contacts were farmers, farm workers, bird handlers and traders.

“A total of 83 human nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal samples have been collected from contacts of confirmed birds in four states: Kano (27), Plateau (18), Bauchi (19) and Gombe (19),” he said.

“A total of 13 blood samples have also been collected from the very-close contacts (human) of the birds in three states: Plateau (3), Bauchi (5), and Gombe (5).

“Of 83 human samples collected, 64 (87.7 percent) samples were analysed using Real time Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of 64 samples analysed, only 7 (10.9 percent) were positive for Flu A.”