By Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor
It’s only a-day old kid that is yet to realize that Nigeria is
currently bewildered by the re-emergence of Avian Influenza, popularly known
as ‘bird flu’. When Ebola virus was on board in the country some months ago, as
an analyst and activist, in most of my commentaries, I categorically stated
that Nigeria would surely overcome the scourge if we could employ severe and
sustainable measures just as we did during the era of avian influenza.
To have used avian influenza as an instance as regards
severe approach towards containing an epidemic signified that undoubtedly
every needed step was taken when the country firstly experienced the disease
(bird flu) in 2006. To this end, the capital question that needs to be asked at
this point is: why the re-emergence, or why is the country experiencing the
outbreak for a second time barely after nine years of its initial occurrence?
The country was able to overcome the said pandemic
infection during its previous outbreak, specifically in 2006, owing to the
tactical and drastic approach employed by the government and other concerned
bodies. This implies that the re-emergence of the menace might not be
unconnected with the fact that we went to sleep or on a recess; that is, apathy
on the part of the concerned authorities and personnel regarding sustenance
of the measure initially utilized. In view of this assertion, it’s high time
we are awoke.
Presently, survey indicates that seven outbreaks of highly
pathogenic Avian Influenza have been discovered in Nigeria . Six of the A(H5N1)
outbreaks were reported in the central and northern regions of the country,
which affected states like Kano ,
Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT); over 21 thousand birds were
reportedly killed in the six outbreaks. Another outbreak occurred in the
southern region of Bayelsa, affecting 8-week old pullets; 850 poultry died
whereas 2150 were destroyed in this very outbreak. Officials said that farm
workers visited other farms in the affected areas, which has great implications
for possible infection routes and biosecurity.
Avian influenza is an infectious viral disease of birds
particularly wild water fowls like ducks and geese among other such animals as
pigs, whales and horses. Most avian influenza viruses don’t infect humans;
however, some including A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) have caused serious infections in
people. It is noted that outbreaks of A1 in poultry may raise global public
health concerns as a result of their effect on poultry populations, their
potential to cause serious disease in people, and their pandemic potential.