The Kaduna State Government has warned that avian influenza goes beyond an animal health challenge and poses a direct risk to public health, urging poultry farmers and live bird marketers to strengthen preventive measures to avert possible outbreaks.
The News Agency of Nigeria noted that the warning was issued on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ engagement on avian influenza mitigation in Kaduna, where the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Abubakar Abba, emphasised that strict biosecurity practices remained the most effective defence against the disease.
Abba stressed that poor hygiene and weak farm controls could accelerate the spread of avian influenza, with consequences for both livelihoods and human health.
He called on poultry operators to maintain clean farm environments, restrict access to poultry houses, regularly disinfect equipment and prevent contact between domestic birds and wild species.
He also underscored the importance of early detection, noting that prompt reporting of unusual poultry deaths or signs of illness would enable authorities to respond swiftly and contain any potential outbreak.
According to him, the ministry would handle all reports professionally and in the collective interest of the poultry sector, assuring farmers that transparency and cooperation were critical to effective disease control.
Abba added that the state’s mitigation strategy was guided by the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnection between animal health, human health and the environment.
He said the ministry, through its veterinary services and in partnership with organisations such as OLAM, would continue to strengthen disease surveillance, veterinary extension services and emergency response capacity.
He urged stakeholders, including members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, to actively contribute practical, field-based solutions that could reduce the risk of avian influenza outbreaks across the state.
In his remarks, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Zakariya Pakachi, described the engagement as timely, noting that Kaduna was entering the influenza season when risks were typically higher.
Pakachi said the state government had shown sustained commitment to agricultural development through increased budgetary allocations from 2023 to 2025, with further improvements projected in the 2026 appropriation.
He expressed confidence that continued collaboration between government and industry players would enhance the resilience of the poultry sector and protect food security.
As part of concrete measures, the ministry inaugurated an avian influenza rapid response team tasked with mitigating potential outbreaks.
The team is expected to begin a three-month decontamination exercise across poultry farms and live bird markets in the state.
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