By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed cases of Avian Influenza H5N1, also called “Bird flu” in seven Northern states in Nigeria.
NCDC Director General, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, announced this on Tuesday in an interview in Abuja.
The seven states include; Kano, Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger states.
Ihekweazu said as of March 24, 2021, the seven states reported outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) cases (H5N1) in poultries.
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Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, the NCDC boss said official notification about the outbreak had been conveyed to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR).
Also, the national multi-agency cholera Technical Working Group (TWG) at the NCDC is monitoring situation in eight states where there are reports of suspected cholera cases.
Dr. Ihekweazu SAID this yesterday in an interview with NAN in Abuja while giving an update for cholera cases in the country.
The NCDC boss said as at March, Benue, Delta, Zamfara, Gombe, Bayelsa, Kogi, Sokoto and Nasarawa states had reported suspected cholera cases.
Dr. Ihekweazu added: “Most people infected with cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for one to 10 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.
“Among people who develop symptoms, the majority have mild or moderate symptoms, while a minority develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if left untreated?”
