Avian influenza in Nigeria
Summary of information received on 6 February 2006 from Dr Junaidu A. Maina, Acting Director, Department of Livestock and Pest Control Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja:
An outbreak of avian influenza was reported in Jaji, Igabi, Kaduna State, in a poultry layers commercial farm in which ostriches and geese were also kept.
Date of first confirmation of the event: 6 February 2006.
Date of start of the event: 10 January 2006.
Total number of susceptible animals in the outbreak: 46,000 (poultry).
Number of cases: 42,000.
Number of deaths: 40,000.
Source of outbreak or origin of infection: unknown or inconclusive.
Control measures
A. Undertaken:
- stamping out;
- quarantine;
- disinfection of infected premises/establishment.
B. To be undertaken:
- movement control inside the country.
Treatment of affected animals: yes (birds were treated by owner with broadspectrum antibiotics before confirmation of infection).
Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: highly pathogenic avian influenza has never been reported before in Nigeria. A copy of test results received on 7 February 2006 from the OIE Reference Laboratory for avian influenza and Newcastle disease in Padova, Italy, confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza virus subtype H5N1.