Birds Flu Hits Kano, Kills Dozens of Chickens
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Gwale Veterinary Clinic, Kano, has confirmed that an outbreak of bird flu has killed 32 birds in the area.
The In-charge of the clinic, Dr Abdullahi Abubakar Gaya, made the confirmation in an interview with newsmen in Kano on Wednesday.
Gaya said the Index Case of the disease was first observed on Dec. 7, 2024, when a young man brought his dead guinea fowl to the clinic.
He said after a presumptive diagnosis of the dead bird, its sample was taken to the National Veterinary Reference Laboratory in Jos where the disease was confirmed to be bird flu.
He said the guinea fowl died alongside several other birds including chickens and ducks which cohabited in the young man’s backyard.
The veterinary doctor advised poultry keepers to always isolate birds newly bought from the market for at least two weeks before they mix them with others.
He also advised them to always take their birds to the nearest veterinary clinic when they notice any sickness in them, so as to take the necessary measures.
Again, he advised people to avoid touching dead animals and birds so as to avoid getting infected by some diseases they might carry.
The State Commissioner of Health, Dr Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, also confirmed the outbreak of the disease, saying the situation had prompted the state Ministry of Agriculture to take proactive measures to contain its spread.
To prevent further spread, Yusuf said, the state Ministry of Agriculture had sealed the affected area, depopulated the remaining chickens and decontaminated the compound.
He said the Ministry had also decontaminated the premises where live birds are sold at the Janguza market and educated sellers on the effects of bird flu.
“While the situation is under control, residents, especially poultry rearers, are urged to report any suspected cases to the authorities immediately,” he said.
