Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, has reassured residents of the state that there is no cause for alarm over the recent confirmation of a bird flu case.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Information Officer Ministry of Health, Dr. Yusuf urged
the public to remain calm, emphasizing that the situation is under control.
“The case we have is isolated and not significant enough to be declared
an outbreak. The ministry is on top of the issue and has taken proactive
measures to contain it before it becomes a threat to public health,” he said.
The reassurance followed reports that in December 2024, a young man from
Gwale Local Government Area introduced a duck purchased from Janguza Market,
Tofa LGA, into his flock, which included hens, guinea fowls, and chickens.
Shortly after, respiratory distress was observed among the birds,
leading to the death of 35 out of 50 birds.
Laboratory tests in January 2025 confirmed the presence of the bird flu
virus in samples from the flock.
“Upon receiving the diagnosis, the Ministry of Agriculture promptly
sealed the premises, culled the remaining birds, and decontaminated the
compound,” the statement reads.
The ministry also decontaminated the live bird market in Janguza and
sensitized sellers about the risks and prevention of bird flu.
Dr. Yusuf highlighted the government’s coordinated efforts to address
the situation.
“We convened a meeting with the Emergency Preparedness Response and One
Health Committees, involving the ministries of agriculture, environment, and
water resources, as well as our partners, to strategize on combating this issue
effectively.”
He further disclosed plans for weekly stakeholder meetings and daily
surveillance reports from all local government areas to monitor the situation
closely.
“We will intensify surveillance, especially among poultry and bird
rearers, and provide regular updates to the public while keeping Governor Abba
Kabir Yusuf informed of the situation,” he added.
The commissioner also warned about the dangers of bird flu to humans,
explaining that the virus can cause symptoms such as fever, mucous, and redness
of the eyes.
He urged poultry farmers to act as frontline surveillance officers by
promptly reporting any unusual health conditions in their birds to the
authorities.
“Protecting your flock is safeguarding your wealth and health. Early reporting allows for timely action to prevent further spread of the disease,” he said.
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