Taraba State has reported an outbreak of the Avian Influenza Virus, popularly known as bird flu, in parts of Wukari Local Government Area of the state.
The state government, at a press briefing addressed by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Nicholas Namessan, on Saturday, said it received a report about the sudden death of a large number of birds in the Jibu community of the LGA.
Namessan, represented by the Director of Veterinary Services in the ministry, Dr. Francis Nathan, said a rapid assessment team was immediately deployed, and samples were collected for laboratory analysis.
He said the samples returned positive for bird flu on October 29.
On behalf of the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria and with his permission, I hereby declare Taraba State positive for the Avian Influenza Virus,” Nathan said.
He added that the government had activated rapid response teams and imposed an immediate ban on the movement of birds and poultry products in and out of the Jibu, Kakari, and Yamini axis to prevent further spread of the virus.
The commissioner also announced the temporary shutdown of live-bird markets in Doruwa, Bantaje, and Yamini.
