Bird flu hits Kano, Kaduna, Benue, four other states

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states have reported confirmed human cases of Avian Influenza H5N1, also called “Bird flu”.

NCDC Director General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, announced this on Tuesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, while giving highlights of the epidemiological situation and response activities in Nigeria.

NAN reports that Avian Influenza has strains of the influenza virus that primarily infects birds but can also infect humans.

This type of flu is most often contracted by contact with sick birds, and can also be passed from person to person. It spreads by airborne respiratory droplets (coughs or sneezes).

Symptoms begin within two to eight days, and are like the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath may occur.

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

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