Twelve New H5N1 Flu Outbreaks in Nigerian Poultry
NIGERIA - A further 12 poultry flocks with a total of more than 40,000 birds have been hit by the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.According to Follow-up Report No.4 dated 19 February, the veterinary authority in Nigeria has reported 12 new outbreaks of high-path avian flu to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
Starting between 5 and 8 February, a total of 40,234 birds have been affected, with 1,236 deaths and the rest have been destroyed.
Three of the outbreaks were isolated - in the states of Kano, Bauchi and Plateau, in one layer flock and the others were backyard flocks.
The other outbreaks were in a cluster in the city of Kano in northern Nigeria. Altogether, 35,669 birds - layers between 25 and 44 weeks of age - were affected; 551 of them died and the rest were destroyed.
The presence of the H5N1 subtype of the virus has been confirmed.