With worries about outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) in Kano State, the government has called on residents to notify the relevant authorities of suspected cases.
Speculation started spreading following reports that in December 2024, a young man from Gwale Local Government Area (LGA) purchased a duck from Janguza Market in Tofa LGA to include it in his group of hens, guinea fowls, and chickens. Soon after, the birds started displaying symptoms of breathing difficulties, leading to the demise of 35 out of 50 birds. Samples dispatched to the Gwale Veterinary Clinic in January 2025 verified the existence of the bird flu virus.
The Health Commissioner of Kano State, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, characterized the incident as isolated, noting that it does not represent an outbreak.
“The ministry is tackling the issue and implementing proactive steps to manage the disease and avert it from becoming fatal,” Dr. Yusuf stated.
The Ministry of Agriculture has locked down the impacted site, eliminated the remaining chickens, and sanitized the location. Janguza Market, where the duck was bought, underwent decontamination, and awareness sessions were conducted for live bird vendors to inform them about the dangers of avian influenza.
Dr. Yusuf spoke about current initiatives, such as working with the Emergency Preparedness Response and One Health Committees, which engage participants from the Ministries of Agriculture, Environment, and Water Resources, along with partner organizations.
“At the moment, this is what we have been working on.” Weekly meetings will take place with stakeholders, and the public will receive updates frequently. “Surveillance will be heightened in every LGA, especially among poultry and bird owners, with daily reports submitted to the committees and updates given to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf,” he stated.
The commissioner also outlined bird flu symptoms, such as fever, mucus, and redness of the eyes, urging poultry keepers to monitor their flocks closely and report any unusual health conditions promptly.
“Poultry keepers should protect their flocks and assets by reporting any abnormal health conditions in their birds to the relevant authorities for timely intervention,” he added.