Bird Flu hits 5 more States

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. AKinwumi Adesina, has said that Nigeria was not in a bird flu epidemic (Avian Influenza), as the disease has hit only seven states of the federation.

Adesina who briefed journalists Wednesday in Abuja disclosed that a total of 140,390 birds have been associated with H5N1 virus bird flu exposures, while 22, 573, which represents 16 per cent mortality was recorded.

He said Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau states now have so far recorded cases of bird flu in addition to Kano and Lagos states, which was reported last week.

'We can now confirm that the cases were due to the H5N1 virus. We are not in any state of epidemic, seven states have so far reported cases of the bird flu: Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau states. To date, 21 commercial farms, 9 live bird markets and one private zoo have been affected in the seven states.' – Thisday.