Taraba State Government has raised the alarm over an outbreak of Avian Influenza Virus (Bird Flu) in some parts of Wukari Local Government Area of the State.

Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Professor Nicholas Namessan, disclosed this at a press conference in Jalingo on Saturday.

The commissioner, who was represented by Director Veterinary Services in the Ministry, Dr Francis Nathan, said measures were already in place to avoid the spread of the outbreak to other parts of the state and to ensure adequate sensitization to contain the situation.

?My briefing to you is that there is an outbreak of the Avian Influenza Virus commonly known as Bird Flu in Jibu area of Wukari Local Government.

?We received a distress call from our field officers on Friday from the area about birds dying in large numbers and we quickly mobilised our team to the area and samples were taken for testing,? he said.

The commissioner explained that the samples came out positive of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus.

?On behalf of the Chief Veterinary officer of Nigeria, and with his permission, I hereby declare Taraba State as positive to the Avian Influenza Virus.? the commissioner said.

He stated that in response to the outbreak, a rapid response team had been instituted and mobilised to Wukari for consultation with relevant stakeholders and imposition of ban on movement of birds and poultry products in and out of Jibu/Kakari/Yamini axis in the area.

?We are also going to impose a ban on live birds market in that axis to include Doruwa, Bantaje and Yamini markets.? he further stated

Professor Namessan described Bird Flu as a zoonotic disease capable of infecting humans and could result in high mortality rate in poultry.

He, therefore, advised poultry farmers in the affected areas to tighten biosecurity measures and urged residents not to panic as the state government was taking necessary steps to contain the situation.

?The public should report sudden death of birds to the nearest veterinary clinics. People who have come in contact with birds and now experience Flu like symptoms should quickly report to the nearest hospital for immediate assistance.?

The commissioner called on development partners to support the state government in containing the outbreak before it spreads further.

He, however, noted that no reported case of human infection had been reported so far, no news of any human, adding that hospitals across the state had been alerted to be on the lookout. (Weekend Trust)

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