Bird Flu Outbreak Hits Farms in Rivers

The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) at a poultry farm in Iriebe, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to Afripost, the affected farm, with a capacity of 3,000 birds, reported the outbreak on January 17, 2025.

To prevent further spread, the farm has been quarantined and all birds have been culled. The premises have undergone thorough decontamination, and continuous disinfection is being carried out according to international best practices.

Veterinary teams from the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association, are on the ground to ensure proper containment and prevention measures.

In addition to these actions, the ministry has launched an awareness campaign in partnership with the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) to educate farmers on the symptoms of bird flu, including sudden death, respiratory distress, swollen combs, and reduced egg production.

Poultry farmers are encouraged to report any unusual bird health issues immediately.

During a recent visit to the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, a PAN delegation led by Olatunde Badmus called for a reduction in tariffs on imported poultry inputs and equipment. They also advocated for a duty-free policy to reduce production costs and stimulate growth in the poultry sector. In response, the minister acknowledged the need for government intervention to address sector challenges and emphasized the importance of cultivating essential grains such as maize, sorghum, and soybeans to support local poultry feed production.

Maiha also assured stakeholders that efforts are underway to stabilize the industry, including exploring the possibility of the government acting as a “buyer of last resort” for critical grains to stabilize prices and ensure a steady supply of poultry feed. PAN further supported maintaining restrictions on frozen poultry imports to protect local producers and attract foreign investment to Nigeria’s poultry industry.