H5N1 Found at Two Markets in Nigeria

NIGERIA - Animal health officials have reported finding the H5N1 avian influenza virus at two live bird markets.
calendar icon 28 July 2008
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CIDRAP (Centre for Infectious Disease Research and Policy) reports that the H5N1 findings in Nigeria came during routine surveillance, according to an epidemiology report submitted by Nigeria on 25 July to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

On 27 June, veterinary officials detected the virus in a chicken at a live bird market in Kebbi state, in north-western Nigeria.

On 19 July, animal health workers found the virus in a duck at a live bird market in Gombe state in the east-central part of the country.

The reports did not say if bird deaths were reported in the area or if the birds that were sampled appeared sick.

A detailed investigation was underway to determine the source of the virus, which might be contact between poultry and wild birds, the OIE report said. Officials said they have restricted the movement of birds inside the country and have disinfected the areas where the birds were kept. No birds were culled.

Nigeria's last H5N1 outbreak occurred in October 2007, according to an overview from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

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