NCDC confirms bird flu outbreak in seven states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control has confirmed the bird flu Outbreak in Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Niger State.

The NCDC Director-General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, on Tuesday in Abuja, while providing highlights of the epidemiological situation and response activities in Nigeria.

Ihekweazu said as of March 24, 2021, the seven states reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases (H5N1) in poultries.

“Health National Rapid Response Team (RRT) from NCDC and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture were deployed to Bauchi, Kano and Plateau State

“A total of 83 human samples were received and 64 (87.7 percent) samples were tested. Of the tested samples, seven (10.9 percent) were positive for Flu A, six 85.7 percent were subtype A/H5 while one 14.3 percent was unsub-typable,” he explained.

The NCDC boss said official notification about the outbreak had been sent to the World Health Organisation (WHO) as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR).

He added that an official report had also been sent to the authorities at both the Federal level and the affected states.

“Avian influenza outbreak Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at level 1 has been activated at national and in two states (Plateau and Gombe).

“Seven confirmed samples have been shipped to the WHO Collaborating Centre (WHO-CC) in the United States (US) for further characterization,” he noted.

Speaking on the response activities, he said the second session of EOC had been conducted with a review of the outbreak situation, response Terms of Reference (TORs), and Incident Actions Plan (IAPs).

“Seven states: Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger State have confirmed cases of Avian Influenza among poultry.

“Two states have reported seven cases among humans – Kano four and Plateau three. Only Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, and Gombe States have had human contacts of birds followed up,” he said.

According to him, of the 83 contacts reported, 27 contacts are from three Local Government Areas; Nasarawa, Ungogo, and Gwale in Kano State.

The others are 18 contacts from two LGAs (Jos North and South) in Plateau; 19 contacts from two LGAs (Bauchi and Toro) in Bauchi State, and 19 contacts from three LGAs (Kaltungo, Yamaltu Deba, and Gombe) in Gombe State.

Ihekweazu stated that all contacts were farmers, farmworkers, bird handlers, and traders, adding that the contacts were still asymptomatic except one who presented catarrh.

“A total of 83 humans nasopharyngeal/oropharyngeal samples have been collected from contacts of confirmed birds in four states: Kano (27), Plateau (18), Bauchi (19), and Gombe (19).

“A total of 13 blood samples have also been collected from the very-close contacts (human) of the birds in three states: Plateau (3), Bauchi (5), and Gombe (5).

“Of 83 human samples collected, 64 (87.7 percent) samples were analyzed using Real-time Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of 64 samples analyzed, only 7 (10.9 percent) were positive for Flu A.

The NCDC boss noted that sensitization was carried out by the national and state RRT to farm owners, workers, Live Bird Market (LBM) associations, and communities in the affected states.

He added that biosecurity measures were extensively discussed for the benefit of the farmers and communities.

“Distribution of Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC) materials to farm owners, workers, LBM associations, and community leaders.

“List of items that facilitate safety in farms was shared with farmers, and sensitization of workers on hygiene and regular wearing of PPE in the farm was carried out,” he said.