Fear grips Abeokuta residents over Avian Flu
11.08.2006 [Aug 11, '06]
Nigerian Tribune
THERE are indications of an avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak in poultry farms in Abeokuta, Ogun State, a top official of the state Ministry of Health has said.
Dr. Leke Adeleye, Chief Epidemiologist in the state, told newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation meeting of stakeholders on avian influenza, that experts were investigating the report to ascertain its authenticity.
The meeting was organised by the state Ministry of Health. ?Until the investigations are thoroughly carried out and the outcome known, no one can conclude that it is avian influenza. There is no doubt that there have been mysterious deaths of poultry birds,? he said.
Adeleye noted that there were concerns over unusual deaths of poultry birds in the area, which has a large concentration of cottage farms, in the past few weeks. No fewer than 300 birds (chickens) died in mysterious manner on August 3 at a farm located at Olorunsogo area of Abeokuta.
The state?s health commissioner, Dr Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, while reacting to the report, said the only case of avian influenza in the state was recorded in two poultry farms at Akute, near Lagos.
Meanwhile, a rapid response team led by Dr. Babajide Coker has been deployed to the state to sensitise the people and support the federal government?s efforts at minimising the threats posed by the disease to human lives and poultry farms.
He observed that although no human infection of the influenza had been recorded in the country, there had been outbreak of the disease in 14 states. He said Lagos and Ogun states had been the most vulnerable because of a large concentration of poultry farms.
http://www.tribune.com.ng/11082006/news/news5.html
11.08.2006 [Aug 11, '06]
Nigerian Tribune
THERE are indications of an avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak in poultry farms in Abeokuta, Ogun State, a top official of the state Ministry of Health has said.
Dr. Leke Adeleye, Chief Epidemiologist in the state, told newsmen in Abeokuta on Wednesday at a one-day sensitisation meeting of stakeholders on avian influenza, that experts were investigating the report to ascertain its authenticity.
The meeting was organised by the state Ministry of Health. ?Until the investigations are thoroughly carried out and the outcome known, no one can conclude that it is avian influenza. There is no doubt that there have been mysterious deaths of poultry birds,? he said.
Adeleye noted that there were concerns over unusual deaths of poultry birds in the area, which has a large concentration of cottage farms, in the past few weeks. No fewer than 300 birds (chickens) died in mysterious manner on August 3 at a farm located at Olorunsogo area of Abeokuta.
The state?s health commissioner, Dr Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, while reacting to the report, said the only case of avian influenza in the state was recorded in two poultry farms at Akute, near Lagos.
Meanwhile, a rapid response team led by Dr. Babajide Coker has been deployed to the state to sensitise the people and support the federal government?s efforts at minimising the threats posed by the disease to human lives and poultry farms.
He observed that although no human infection of the influenza had been recorded in the country, there had been outbreak of the disease in 14 states. He said Lagos and Ogun states had been the most vulnerable because of a large concentration of poultry farms.
http://www.tribune.com.ng/11082006/news/news5.html
