Oh no! Bird flu hits Ebonyi State for the first time

From Ebola(bats) to Lassa Fever(Rats).. Now Its Bird Flu!(Birds). For the first time in the history of Ebonyi State, the detection of Avian Influenza(Bird Flu) infection was confirmed in the state. This was urgently confirmed by the Ebonyi States Commisioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Orji Uchenna.

      Revealing this in it's Capital, Abakaliki, Mr Orji Uchenna said the virus was perceived in a poultry farm at Ugwuachara area of the State Capital adding that the attention of his ministry was drawn to the development following the sudden death of Birds.
He further stated that officials of the state veterinary services took a sample to a research institute in Jos, where it was confirmed that the birds died from the H5NI strains of the Avian Influenza.
        The Director of Veterinary Service and Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ibiam Okoro, who led the Commissioner to the farm, said the department had already mounted surveillance to contain the possible spread of the virus.
Okoro, who emphasized that the strain detected in the farm was only transmissible from animal to animal, warned poultry farmers and the people of the state against the sale or consumption of sick or dead chicken.

One of the Supervisors of the farm, Miss Victoria Chukwu, said that the sudden massive death of birds in the farm aroused suspicion as they failed to respond to treatment.