Explained: What is bird flu? How severe is the outbreak in Nigeria?

Bird flu is taking a huge toll on global poultry industry. It is directly or indirectly impacting the economic and social well-being of some countries.

Recently in Nigeria, bird flu has been reported among multiple species of ostriches, geese, turkeys, layers, and peacocks in Kano state.

In Jos, Plateau state, the flu has already been detected by the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVIR) since January 29, 2021 prompting the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to list the measures to curtail the spread of the disease in all the states including FCT.

It is important for you to know more about Avian influenza (bird flu), an infection caused by avian influenza viruses since it has become a primary public health concern of the 21st century. Before you do that, let's find out what is bird flu.

What Is Bird Flu?

Bird flu is an infection caused by avian influenza viruses, which are of different types A, B and C.

Avian influenza A is highly contagious among birds such as chickens and turkeys but usually do not infect people, except in rare cases.

How Does Bird Flu Spread To Humans?

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human infections with bird flu viruses can happen when enough virus gets into a person’s eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled. This can take place when virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or when a person touches something that has virus on it then touches their mouth, eyes or nose. Rare human infections with some avian viruses have occurred most often after unprotected contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with avian influenza viruses. However, some infections have been identified where direct contact was not known to have occurred. Illness in people has ranged from mild to severe.

Bird Flu In Nigeria

In 2006, there were several reported cases of bird flu in Nigeria within Abuja, Bauchi, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, and Plateau.

There was only one reported case of human bird flu in Nigeria in 17th February, 2007. In fact, Nigeria was the first country in West Africa to report human cases of A/H5N1 one year after the first A(H5N1) outbreak in poultry was reported in the country.

What Are The Steps Taken By Federal Government To Curb The Spread Of Bird Flu In Nigeria?

The federal government of Nigeria has recommended the following for implementation in all states of the federation including the FCT.

• Full activation of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) emergency preparedness plan (EPP) in the States.
• Enforcement of movement control of poultry and poultry products from affected to non-affected states.
• Sensitisation of poultry farmers and other value chain operators on basic biosecurity and hygiene measures for prevention and control of the disease.
• Separation of live bird markets (LBMs) for poultry from the LBMs for domestic fowls and other bird species such as duck, captive wild water birds etc and also sustained and vigorous disinfection of Live bird market in the states.

What Are The Steps Taken By State Governments To Prevent The Spread Of Bird Flu In Nigeria?

Some states like Lagos have commenced 2-week decontamination of major poultry markets against the resurgence of avian influenza (Bird Flu).

Markets listed for the exercise in Lagos include: Awolowo Live Bird Market, Mushin Main Live Bird Market, Cairo Live Bird Market, Oshodi; Bolade Live Bird Market, Arena, Olaleye Live Bird Market, Bariga Live Bird Market, Ketu Live Bird Market, Mile 12 Live Bird Market, Tejuosho Live Bird Market, Oyingbo Live Bird Market, Jankara Live Bird Market, Lagos Island, Pelewura Live Bird Market, Lagos Island, Makanjuola Live Bird Market, Alade, Oja Oba Live Bird Market, Agege, Abattoirs I and II, Idera Live Bird Market and Isale Oja Live Bird Market, Agege.

Others include: Alayabiagba Live Bird Market, Alaba Suuru Live Bird Market, Agboju Live Bird Market, Ojo Cantonment Live Bird Market, Alaba Rago Live Bird Market, Okokomaiko Live Bird Market, Ejina Live Bird Market, Ikorodu, Sabo Live Bird Market, Ikorodu as well as Odongunyan Live Bird Market.

Lagos state government had also set up surveillance networks across seven zones at Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Surulere, Ajah, and Ojo, with 30 animal disease surveillance agents assigned to carry out disease surveillance and bio-security monitoring in poultry farms and live bird markets located within the zones.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Bird Flu In Poultry?

Depending on the strain of virus causing the infection, bird flu can either be highly pathogenic (spread quickly among birds), or low in pathogenicity.

Birds infected with the highly pathogenic strains usually experience multiple organ failure, sudden death and high death rate while, those infected with the low pathogenic strains experience asymptomatic infections, respiratory disease or reduced egg production.

Birds suffering from bird flu may show the following symptoms:

• Sudden death without any signs
• Purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs
• Swollen head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks
• Soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Decreased egg production
• Lack of energy, appetite and coordination
• Diarrhea
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing or sneezing
• Ruffled feathers

How To Prevent Bird Flu In Poultry

Since bird flu spread through direct contact with infected birds or through contaminated feed, water, equipment and clothing, biosecurity remains the first and most important means of prevention at farm level.

If you're a poultry farmer, try to prevent bird flu from spreading to your flock by doing the following:

• Reduce wildlife attractants - remove standing water, food sources and cover wastes and dumpsters properly.
• Prevent wildlife access
• Install wildlife deterrents
• Keep poultry away from areas frequented by wildfowl
• Cover your run
• Control the number of people and equipment entering your poultry house
• Maintain sanitation of property, poultry houses, equipment, vehicles and footwear
• Don't bring in birds of unknown disease status into your poultry house.
• Report illness and death of birds
• Appropriately dispose of manure and dead poultry.
• Maintain surveillance guideline

What Are The Symptoms Of Bird Flu In Humans?

Bird flu generally affects the gut of infected birds. In humans, bird flu virus attacks the respiratory tract and may cause severe respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

Symptoms of bird flu in humans include: fever (over 38°C), cough, headache, malaise, muscle ache, runny nose sore throat, respiratory difficulty, and sometimes abdominal pain and diarrhoea.

How To Prevent Yourself From Contracting Bird Flu In Nigeria

There is an outbreak of bird flu in Nigeria. Therefore, if you're visiting any of the state that has had an outbreak you should:

• Wash your hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw poultry
• Avoid contact with live birds and poultry
• Do not go near or touch bird droppings or sick or dead bird
• Do not go to live animal markets or poultry farm
• Do not bring any live birds or poultry back to your state, including feather
• Do not eat undercooked or raw poultry or duck
• Do not eat raw eggs
• Use different utensils for cooked and raw meat. 
• Also ensure that meat is cooked until steaming hot

Conclusion

There's outbreak of bird flu in Nigeria currently in Kano and Plateau states. The disease can get to other states if adequate measures are not taken to limit its spread.

Bird flu which is caused by avian influenza viruses A, B, and C can be prevented. Ensure that you follow all the preventive guidelines and biosafety procedures to nib the virus in the bud.