Taraba State Govt raises alarm over outbreak of Bird Flu.

By Sylvanus Viashima, Jalingo

Taraba State government has raised the alarm over an outbreak of Avian Influenza Virus (Bird Flu) in some parts of Wukari Local Government Area of the State.

State Commissioner of Agriculture Professor Nicholas Namessan disclose this at a Press conference in Jalingo on Saturday.

Namessan, who was represented by Director Veterinary Services in the Ministry Dr Francis Nathan, said that measures are already in place to avoid the spread of the outbreak to other parts of the State and ensure adequate sensitisation to contain the situation.

"I call to brief you on the outbreak of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus commonly known as Bird Flu in Jibu area of Wukari Local Government. Last Friday, we received distress call from our field officers in the area about birds dying in large numbers. We quickly mobilised our team to the area and samples were taken for testing.

"On 29th of October, the samples came out positive of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus. On behalf of the Chief Veterinary officer in Nigerian and with his permission, I hereby declare Taraba State as positive to the Avian Influenza Virus.

"In response, we have formed teams of Rapid response units who are presently on their way to Wukari for consultation with relevant stakeholders and impose a ban of movement of birds and poultry products in and out of Jibu/Kakari/Yamini axis.

"We are also going to impose a ban on live birds market in that axis to include Doruwa, Bantaje and Yamini markets".

He noted that Bird flu is a zoonotic disease that can affect humans with serious mortality rate and therefore advice the people in the affected areas to suspend the consumption of birds of all kinds. If they must, the should cook it the African way.

"We also advice poultry farmers to intensify security. People should not panic as we are trying to contain the situation. The public should report sudden death of birds to the nearest veterinary clinics. People who have come in contact with birds and now experience Flu like symptoms should quickly report to the nearest hospital for immediate assistance.

"Let me use this opportunity to call on our development partners to join hands with us and support us to contain this outbreak before it gets out of hand. For now, there has been no news of any human infection but we are not leaving anything to chance. That is why we have alerted the hospitals to also be on the lookout".

Comments

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE BISHOP, UNITED METHODIST CHURCH NIGERIA EPISCOPAL AREA AND MISSION DISTRICTS OF SENEGAL AND CAMEROON BISHOP ANDE I. EMMANUEL.

Statement Condemning the Attack on Bamyam Theological Seminary The United Methodist Church in Nigeria strongly condemns the recent attack on Bamyam Theological Seminary in Bambur by leaders and members of the Global Methodist Church (GMC) in Nigeria. This act of aggression, which included the vandalization of United Methodist landmarks, signposts, and logos—specifically at the Seminary chapel, is not only an affront to our faith but a clear attempt to erase the identity and heritage of The United Methodist Church (UMC) in Nigeria. This incident is not isolated. It is directly connected to the illegal occupation of UMC properties by the GMC, the December 15th brutal killing of 27-year-old Masoyi and two infants in Munga Dosso, and the burning down of a United Methodist Church worship center in Keru, Benue District. These coordinated attacks expose the Global Methodist Church’s ongoing campaign of intimidation, violence, an...

RELIGION: UMC-N Bishop Ande Emmanuel decries continual tensions,calls on Gov.Agbu to waive into the matter.

The Resident Bishop United Methodist Church Nigeria Episcopal Area, Ande Emmanuel has decried continual tensions impacting the church in Nigeria. The Bishop, in a Press briefing in Jalingo, condemned any act of violence or disrespect to the church, referencing the attack at Banyan Theological Seminary in the Bambur Community of Karim Lamido Local government area. He remarked that the Seminary established in 1946 by the United Methodist Church agencies and donors has been manned by the church and has continued to fund the Seminary that has trained many clergy of the UMC, including him. The Bishop added that earlier before the attack on the Seminary, on February 6th,2025, a United Methodist Church, Keru Charge in Balaifi In Benue District of North Eastern Nigeria was set ablaze the attack he attributed to persons associated with the Global Methodist Church. Bishop Ande remarked that the UMC has always toured the path of peace, calling on the GMC leadership to work with i...

INSECURITY: Two suspected kidnappers nabbed in Mayo Dassa, Jalingo.

Troops of six Brigade Nigerian Army headquarters ,Jalingo have dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorizing parts of Jalingo and Lau Local Government Areas of Taraba State. A statement by Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations Six Brigade Nigeria Army headquarters, Jalingo, Captain Olubodunde Oni says the Brigade act on an intelligence report and two suspects, identified as Ali Idi and Haruna Umar were apprehended early this week. The statement adds that the culprits were captured during a raid at a local hotel in Mayo Dassa area of Jalingo metropolis where they were hiding. It adds that Further investigations led to the discovery that the gang's hideout was at Kona Mountain in Jalingo , where additional members of the syndicate were believed to be camped. The statement says the leader of the gang Dahiru Idi was also apprehended following an operation at kona Mountain the following day. It states that the gang leader confessed to the recent kidn...

Jalingo Times.

Search This Blog