The Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed an outbreak of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, at a poultry farm in Iriebe, located in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The farm, with a capacity of 3,000 birds, was reported to be infected on Thursday, January 17, 2025, and the confirmation was made public by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Victor Kii, in a statement issued on Tuesday.
The affected farm has been placed under strict quarantine measures to contain the spread of the disease.
To prevent further contamination, the birds have been depopulated, and the premises thoroughly decontaminated following international safety protocols.
The commissioner emphasized that disinfectants are being used continuously to ensure the farm remains free from the virus.
The ministry’s veterinary teams, in collaboration with the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), have already visited the affected site to assess the situation and take necessary steps to prevent further outbreaks.
Additionally, an awareness campaign has been launched to educate poultry farmers on the best practices for disease prevention.
The campaign, organized in partnership with organizations such as the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) and the NVMA, is focused on raising awareness about avian influenza, its symptoms, and the importance of biosecurity measures in poultry farms.
The commissioner urged poultry farmers and the public to report any signs of the disease, including sudden deaths, respiratory distress, reduced egg production, and physical symptoms like swollen combs and wattles.
Victor Kii reassured the public that the Ministry of Agriculture is fully committed to safeguarding both the poultry industry and public health.
He called on all stakeholders to cooperate in efforts to mitigate the impact of the outbreak.
For further information or to report symptoms, the public can contact the Ministry of Agriculture at 08142631325 or visit their social media pages on Instagram (@rsministryofagriculture) and Facebook (Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture).
The ministry has promised to continue taking all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of avian influenza and protect public health.
