More 'reassuring' news from Nigeria ...
Nigeria: Farmers Feed Chickens Dangerous Drugs Says Agriculture Ministry
AllAfrica - October 16, 2006
Hassan A. Karofi
Farmers are feeding their chicken flocks dangerous drugs to ward off bird flu, the Daily Trust can exclusively reveal.
Reporters posing as chicken farmers bought unlicensed drugs in Kano markets sold as "vaccines" or "cures" for Avian flu. NAFDAC is unaware of the problem and is investigating, following a tip off by the Daily Trust.
Dr Junaidu Maina, the governments top veterinary doctor, said: "Any attempt at treatment is out of the question. Drugs have not been licensed for this use and if they are being brought into the country, that is illegal."
The drugs are believed to be strong antibiotics. One type on sale is not registered by the country's drug regulator, NAFDAC.
Feeding flocks unnecessary antibiotics could have a devastating effect on human health, Dr Maina said.[/b]
Farmers are also being cheated of their money as there is no currently known cure for the latest strain of bird flu, H5 N1, chicken experts said.
Farmers say they are concerned about losing their flocks. They are not convinced the government can compensate them.
Antibiotics in chicken are passed on to humans who eat the meat. A low level of antibiotics in the immune system could lead to drug-resistant diseases spreading through humans.
Reporters found two different types of drugs for sale in Kano markets. The first, called Oxytetracycline has no NAFDAC registration number. It is believed the drug was smuggled into the country from Holland.
The second is called Flumesole and is registered by NAFDAC for use on livestock, but according to the manufacturer's website, it is not useful against bird flu.
Any drug without a NAFDAC number should be assumed to be fake, a spokesman for the drug regulator in Abuja said. Abubakar Jimoh said: "we are not aware of this problem but will be investigating. However, using any drug not meant for the purpose it was made for is very dangerous."
But unsuspecting bird sellers and poultry owners have been rushing to buy the drug which sellers say fights the deadly disease.
Sani Shuaibu, a dealer at the Kano Rimi market who sold the vaccine to our correspondents said: "Scientists have proven the efficacy of the drug to cure the avian virus. The vaccine is newly imported and I am sure you will find it helpful.'"
The vaccine manufactured by the Dutch firm, veterinary pharmaceutical with Batch number F02-090, has manufacture date of 02-2006 and will1 expire on 02-2009.
Buyers are directed to mix one table spoon with a bucket of water.
Another veterinary medicine seller, Malam Kabir Shanono, was also full of praises for the new anti-avian flu virus which he said is becoming popular among poultry farmers in the state.
He said: "This is a highly strong antibiotic and it has proven to be an effective anti-avian flu dosage".
Investigations among chicken sellers and poultry owners shows that the newly imported vaccine is fast gaining acceptance as many interviewed said they have been using the vaccine to guard against further cases of the deadly flu among their chicken.
At the Yankaba and Tarauni markets for example, some of the sellers interviewed said they were introduced to the new vaccine by their veterinary medicine customers.
One of them Malam Shehu Tarauni, said although he could not exactly say whether or not the vaccine is genuine, but he still uses it for fear of the deadly virus which he said devastated their businesses.
Nigeria: Farmers Feed Chickens Dangerous Drugs Says Agriculture Ministry
AllAfrica - October 16, 2006
Hassan A. Karofi
Farmers are feeding their chicken flocks dangerous drugs to ward off bird flu, the Daily Trust can exclusively reveal.
Reporters posing as chicken farmers bought unlicensed drugs in Kano markets sold as "vaccines" or "cures" for Avian flu. NAFDAC is unaware of the problem and is investigating, following a tip off by the Daily Trust.
Dr Junaidu Maina, the governments top veterinary doctor, said: "Any attempt at treatment is out of the question. Drugs have not been licensed for this use and if they are being brought into the country, that is illegal."
The drugs are believed to be strong antibiotics. One type on sale is not registered by the country's drug regulator, NAFDAC.
Feeding flocks unnecessary antibiotics could have a devastating effect on human health, Dr Maina said.[/b]
Farmers are also being cheated of their money as there is no currently known cure for the latest strain of bird flu, H5 N1, chicken experts said.
Farmers say they are concerned about losing their flocks. They are not convinced the government can compensate them.
Antibiotics in chicken are passed on to humans who eat the meat. A low level of antibiotics in the immune system could lead to drug-resistant diseases spreading through humans.
Reporters found two different types of drugs for sale in Kano markets. The first, called Oxytetracycline has no NAFDAC registration number. It is believed the drug was smuggled into the country from Holland.
The second is called Flumesole and is registered by NAFDAC for use on livestock, but according to the manufacturer's website, it is not useful against bird flu.
Any drug without a NAFDAC number should be assumed to be fake, a spokesman for the drug regulator in Abuja said. Abubakar Jimoh said: "we are not aware of this problem but will be investigating. However, using any drug not meant for the purpose it was made for is very dangerous."
But unsuspecting bird sellers and poultry owners have been rushing to buy the drug which sellers say fights the deadly disease.
Sani Shuaibu, a dealer at the Kano Rimi market who sold the vaccine to our correspondents said: "Scientists have proven the efficacy of the drug to cure the avian virus. The vaccine is newly imported and I am sure you will find it helpful.'"
The vaccine manufactured by the Dutch firm, veterinary pharmaceutical with Batch number F02-090, has manufacture date of 02-2006 and will1 expire on 02-2009.
Buyers are directed to mix one table spoon with a bucket of water.
Another veterinary medicine seller, Malam Kabir Shanono, was also full of praises for the new anti-avian flu virus which he said is becoming popular among poultry farmers in the state.
He said: "This is a highly strong antibiotic and it has proven to be an effective anti-avian flu dosage".
Investigations among chicken sellers and poultry owners shows that the newly imported vaccine is fast gaining acceptance as many interviewed said they have been using the vaccine to guard against further cases of the deadly flu among their chicken.
At the Yankaba and Tarauni markets for example, some of the sellers interviewed said they were introduced to the new vaccine by their veterinary medicine customers.
One of them Malam Shehu Tarauni, said although he could not exactly say whether or not the vaccine is genuine, but he still uses it for fear of the deadly virus which he said devastated their businesses.
