By Miracle Ogunde
Kano State has confirmed an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), a disease that affects various bird species including layers, ducks, guinea fowl, and turkeys.
A circular, signed by Dr. Taiwo Olasoju on behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and obtained by newsmen, highlighted the heightened risk of the disease spreading at this time. The document called on relevant agencies and state veterinary offices to activate surveillance and response mechanisms to curb the spread, stressing the importance of preventive measures.
It recommended the immediate enforcement of stringent biosecurity protocols and urged education for stakeholders—such as poultry farmers, traders, and the general public—on the risks and preventative strategies. The circular also emphasised the importance of promptly reporting suspicious cases to authorities.
Dr. Olasoju further noted that these measures were crucial to preventing the disease from spreading to neighbouring states and beyond.
Providing additional context, the Kano State Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Dr. Usman Gwarzo, confirmed the outbreak. He cited an incident from December 2024, where a secondary school student in Galadanchi quarters, Gwale Local Government Area, purchased a duck from Janguza market in Tofa LGA. The duck, introduced to the student’s flock of chickens, subsequently died along with the chickens.
“The carcasses were taken to Gwale Veterinary Clinic, where a presumptive diagnosis of avian influenza was made. Samples were sent for confirmation, and results in the first week of January 2025 confirmed the presence of avian influenza. So far, no similar reports have emerged from poultry farms,” Gwarzo explained.
The Federal Government has reiterated the importance of vigilance and strict adherence to biosecurity measures to contain the outbreak.
Leave a Reply