Kaduna State Government has called on poultry farmers and live bird marketers to enhance biosecurity measures and promptly report suspected cases of Avian Influenza to protect both animal and public health. 

The announcement comes amid heightened vigilance as the state enters the influenza season.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Abubakar Abba, emphasised that strict hygiene, controlled access to poultry houses, regular disinfection of equipment, and preventing contact between domestic and wild birds remain the most effective strategies to curb the spread of the disease. 

“Early detection and timely reporting of unusual poultry deaths or illness is critical for rapid response and containment,” he said.

The state has inaugurated an Avian Influenza Rapid Response Team tasked with decontaminating poultry farms and live bird markets over a three-month period. 

The initiative will safeguard livelihoods, maintain a steady food supply, and minimise economic losses in the poultry sector.

Kaduna’s mitigation efforts adopt a One Health approach, integrating measures for both animal and human health. 

Dr Zakariya Pakachi, Director of Veterinary Services, noted that partnerships with organisations like OLAM and engagement with the Poultry Association of Nigeria will strengthen veterinary surveillance, extension services, and outbreak response capacity.

The ministry highlighted steady growth in budgetary allocations for agriculture from 2023 to 2026, demonstrating the state’s commitment to modernising the poultry sector. 

Stakeholders are encouraged to propose practical, field-based solutions to reduce outbreak risks further while boosting resilience and food security in Kaduna State.

Source: People Gazette
Image Credit: Agway