THERE were strong indications yesterday that Nigeria may soon be at the threshold of another round of health pandemic, following the discovery of Influenza Virus Type A (Avian Influenza) in samples obtained from some suspected human victims.
An official of the Federal Ministry of Health said yesterday that the samples of the victims were obtained from Lagos.
This will also make Nigeria the second African country after Egypt to record human cases of avian influenza.
The discovery was contained in a statement by the Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Frank Nweke (Jnr), made available to The Guardian yesterday.
According to the statement, preliminary analysis of tissue samples obtained from the suspected victims by the Avian Flu Crisis Management Centre (AFCMC), which currently investigates suspected cases of Avian Influenza infections in humans in Nigeria, have tested positive to Influenza Virus Type A, which is the same virus that causes common cold, rampant during the harmattan.
Confirmatory tests, the statement further indicated, were in progress to establish the exact strain of the virus.
According to the minister, the Federal Government will make further statements on the development as soon as the results are received.
The Director of Special Duties in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Abdusalami Nasidi, who confirmed the incident, told The Guardian that the tissue samples, which tested positive to Influenza Virus Type A, were collated from suspected victims in Lagos State. He added that a team of medical and veterinary doctors as well as laboratory experts is currently working at the laboratory and would come out with final pronouncement on the issue tomorrow (Tuesday).
He, however, advised Nigerians to restrict contact with poultry and observe the following safety tips:
poultry products should be well-cooked before consumption;
if poultry products have to be refrigerated before cooking, they should not be washed;
chopping boards used for preparing poultry products should not be used for other food items, especially vegetables; and
instances of unusually high mortality of birds should be reported immediately to the Avian Flu Crisis Management Centre on the following numbers: – 0803 700 6849 – 0803 704 4433, or contact the nearest veterinary/ health officials.
To avert poor handling of risk communication of the pandemic, the Ministry of Information and Communication in conjunction with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and World Bank last week organised a workshop for media executives on the avian influenza reporting.
About nine human cases of the avian influenza have been so far reported in Egypt.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State government has inaugurated an inter-ministerial technical committee on the control of bird flu in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Michael Udofia who inaugurated the panel, said that it was set up to evolve preventive and control measures against the disease. Udofia expressed optimism that the members of the committee, drawn from various disciplines, would bring the much-needed expertise to bear on their work.
He said Akwa Ibom was selected as one of the participating states in the World Bank-assisted avian influenza and human pandemic preparedness and response project between now and 2012.
Udofia noted that arrangements had been finalised for the smooth implementation of the programme.
The committee, which is headed by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Trenchard Ibia, has the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Parchi Umoh and his Health counterpart, Dr. Okon Ema, as members.
Others are the Education Commissioner, Dr. Donatus Okon, his Women Affairs and Environment counterparts as well as representatives of some federal agencies.