For those who are not yet aware, the H5N1
Avian Influenza virus, also known as bird flu, has spread from Lagos
and Kano states to nine other states in the country.
The Federal Government and its officials
in the Ministry of Agriculture are desperately trying to contain the
infection which is spreading like wild fire in Oyo, Jigawa, Imo, Gombe
and Delta states.
Reassuring Nigerians on efforts made so
far, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Femi Adeshina, says that poultry
farms in affected states are being quarantined and decontaminated.
According to government statistics, the
number of birds that have been exposed to this highly infectious virus
has risen to 232,385, with 51,444 deaths.
Continue reading after the cut....
The H5N1 is the most virulent strain of
the avian influenza, a virus also known as bird flu. The virus has
killed millions of birds since emerging in Asia in the late 1980s.
Although it is not easily transmissible to humans, several hundred
humans have died in the course of outbreaks.
A professor of Veterinary Public Health
at the University of Ibadan, G.A.T. Ogundipe, says public enlightenment
on the mode of transmission of the virus will go a long way in
containing the recent outbreak of the disease in the country.
Ogundipe, a former Dean, Faculty of
Veterinary Medicine, U.I., says, “The disease is transmitted through
respiration. So, when you stay too close to infected birds that are
sneezing, the possibility that you can get avian influenza is high.
“We have so many people working in
poultry farms, whether as people cleaning the litter or providing water
for the birds, they are at risk. Anybody working in that environment and
not covering their nose is very much at risk. And there are people who
keep local birds in baskets in their kitchen, and also in the passage of
the houses where they live. So, the risk is there and it is better that
we control the disease before it spreads to human beings.”
The good news, according to another
professor of virology, Oyewale Tomori, is that no human case of the
infection has been recorded in Nigeria.
To ensure that the situation remains the
same, the experts say Nigerians must thoroughly cook any poultry meat or
products before consumption.
A veterinary doctor, Dr. Akin Oriyomi, advises that one should cook chicken for at least 20 minutes before eating.
According to him, the heat is enough to kill any virus that may have been in the meat.
“Eating an infected chicken is another
way that people contract the bird flu. Ensure that you buy any chicken
that you are eating this period yourself, so that nobody sells a dead
chicken to you.
“Also, disinfect the chicken or turkey
with vinegar, which is a mild disinfectant, before you even dress it.
Cook it thoroughly for at least 20 minutes to ensure that all viruses
are denatured by the heat.
“If you need to preserve it, make sure it
is well refrigerated. Don’t keep raw chicken for more than two days
until this outbreak is over.”
Even the World Health Organisation says
that consumption and handling of an infected chicken are the two common
means by which humans can contract the viral infection.
The WHO states, “Cooking of poultry such
as chicken, duck, geese, turkeys at or above 70°Celsius is important, so
that absolutely no meat remains raw and red, is a safe measure to kill
the H5N1 virus in areas with outbreaks in poultry.
“This ensures that there is no active
virus remaining if the live bird has been infected and has mistakenly
entered the food chain. To date, there is no epidemiological evidence
that people have become infected after eating contaminated poultry meat
that has been properly cooked.”
The experts, however, warn that one must
be careful when eating poultry meat in restaurants since they are less
likely to take the stipulated precautions.
Oriyomi states, “Check the joints of any
chicken you buy in restaurants and suya joints before you eat them. If
there is any redness or blood, don’t eat it. The virus could still be
active. Let’s not forget that they source their meat from the farms
which may be infected. This warning, however, is for this period.”
The experts recommend that government
should sensitise owners of fast food chains and other food vendors on
the need for them to adhere to this measure of preventing bird flu.
Also, the Vice-President of the African
Veterinary Association and former President, Nigerian Veterinary Medical
Association, Dr. Gani Enahoro, warns that farmers should not cut
corners but promptly report suspected cases to experts and designated
authorities.
Enahoro says if all the precautionary measures are followed, Nigeria should record zero cases of bird flu in the next month.
The expert adds that poultry handlers
must adhere to standard bio-security measures of disease control on
their farms in order to contain the infection to specific locations.
“The farmers need to do a lot to help the
situation because if the outbreak is thoroughly handled, controlled and
contained at the poultry farms, man would have no need to fear because
bird flu will rarely affect human beings via the consumption of chicken.
As long as it is properly cooked, it cannot affect human beings.
“Just like the case of Ebola where the
hospital workers were the primary victims, it is the workers and the
poultry owners that are more at risk of the bird flu because they are
the ones who may likely have uncontrolled contact with infected birds.
“So, every farmer needs to know at this
time that they must not cut corners. They must follow the strict
instructions given to them by veterinary doctors who supervise their
operations by quickly reporting incidents.
“Signs of the disease in the flock
include sneezing, coughing, respiratory difficulties, swelling of the
combs and wattles. If they notice such signs, farmers need to
immediately report and protect themselves,” he notes.
-Punch
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