Kano Commissioner of Health confirms bird flu killed 35 chickens in Gwale LGA

Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf’

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

 

Kano State Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf has confirmed that bird flu killed 35 chickens in Gwale Local Government Area of the state.

He called for calm,  promising that the state Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture have collaboratively taken charge of the situation, stopping it from spreading to other parts of the state.

Dr Labaran Yusuf who has been holding a series of meetings with relevant stakeholders since the news of the bird flu outbreak gave a graphic account of how the bird flu was discovered in Kano lately.

According to him,  “The rumour started after a young man from Gwale Local Government Area introduced a duck to his stock, which led to the death of 35 out of 50 birds.

“He then decided to bring a sample to Gwale Veterinary Clinic for diagnosis, of which, the bird flu virus was confirmed on the samples.

” The bird flu virus was confirmed, and the state Ministry of Agriculture took proactive measures to contain the spread.

“Immediately upon receipt of the result, the state Ministry of Agriculture pro-actively sealed the place, depopulated the remaining chickens and decontaminated the compound.”

Dr Labaran Yusuf assured residents that the situation is under control, claiming that, “it is not severe enough to be declared an outbreak.”

He emphasized that “the Ministry of Health is taking proactive measures to confront the disease and prevent its negative effects.

“The ministry also decontaminated the premises where live birds are sold  in the Janguza market and sensitized sellers on the effects of the bird flu.”

According to him, already meetings with stakeholders, including the Emergency Preparedness Response and One Health committees have been convened to discuss strategies for containment.

“Surveillance will be intensified in every Local Government Area, especially among poultry and bird rearers, with daily reports sent to the committees.

“Symptoms of bird flu include fever, mucous, and redness of the eyes. Residents, especially poultry rearers, are urged to report any suspected cases to the authorities for timely action,” he added.