Bird Flu Killed 116 People in 11 Countries

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who disclosed this in in Lagos advised members of the public to avoid contact with chickens, ducks or other birds, including their feathers, faeces and other wastes in areas where the disease is known to exist.

He said that bird flu killed 166 people in 11 countries in 2007 adding that people must desist from eating dead birds where the disease is prevalent.

He listed other measures that could help halt the spread of the disease to include; frequent and thorough washing of hands with soap and water, particularly after touching any poultry, eggs or bird meat and keeping children away from sick or dead poultry and birds.

“Please, avoid slaughtering and cooking of sick or already dead poultry or birds, ensure that poultry products and eggs are thoroughly cooked before eating, ensure rearing of poultry far from dwellings and sleeping areas and make sure cooking surfaces are well clean before and after preparation of poultry products”, Idris advised.

The Commissioner explained that the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza virus presently circulating among chicken and other birds in the state is very infectious and has caused deaths of millions of chicken and other birds, stressing that the strain had previously killed 166 humans in 11 countries during the 2007 outbreak.

According to him, “Avian influenza is spread by direct and indirect contact with sick or dead chicken, eggs, and also through handling and slaughtering of live infected poultry. For now, there is no case of human infection in the State, only loss of chickens and other birds have been reported; human death has however been recorded with this present outbreak in some African countries”.

He listed initial symptoms of the disease to include; high body temperature and fever above 37.5Oc, cough, sore throat, runny nose, difficulty in breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, bleeding from nose and gum, hoarseness of voice and bloody sputum.

The Commissioner noted that the Ministries of Health and Agriculture are currently working together to stop the spread of the flu amongst birds and prevent the transmission to humans.

Idris implored the general public to be vigilant and report any person; dead or alive with a history of having been in direct or indirect contact with dead poultry or confirmed case of the disease to the health and agric departments of the nearest local government area office, or to the Directorate of Disease Control in the State Ministry of Health, adding that poultry farmers should report high death rates among poultry to the Ministry of Agriculture.

“Health workers are advised to be on the alert and report suspected or probable cases with history of contacts with poultry. They are also enjoined to use personal protective equipment when in contact with such cases”, Idris stated.

While urging members of the public to report any suspected case of the disease to the nearest health facility, the Commissioner said the following numbers: 08023169485 and 08023213333 could be reached for more information about the disease.