Nigerian neighboring countries are currently proposing to ban all poultry products from Nigeria following an out break of new strain of Avian Influenza virus, popularly known as bird flu.

Disclosing this in Abuja during a consultative meeting with commissioners for agriculture/livestock, states directors of veterinary services and major stakeholders in the industry, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, chief Audo Ogbeh said 26 states and the Federal Capital Territory have already been infected by the deadly disease adding that over 3.5 million birds were affected.

Ogbeh in his word, “Almost a decade later, precisely in December 2014, the disease reoccurred in a commercial poultry farm and a live bird market in Kano and Lagos states, respectively. The current status of the disease in the country is quite alarming; it has now affected 26 states and the FCT, with over 3.5 million birds culled so far.

“Recently, a new strain of the bird flu virus (H5N8) was reported in Kano. The new strain is believed to be very pathogenic and more devastating to poultry species and, therefore, it may further add to the burden of the H5N1 strain that is currently circulating in the country.

“The disease is transboundary in nature and also trade-limiting; some of our neighbouring countries have proposed to ban poultry and poultry products from Nigeria. This may undesirably lead to an egg glut in the country.”