The Kaduna State Government has urged poultry farmers and live bird marketers to strengthen biosecurity measures and promptly report suspected cases of Avian Influenza (AI) to prevent outbreaks and protect public health.
Abubakar Abba, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, made the call on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ engagement on Avian Influenza mitigation in Kaduna.
He emphasized that strict adherence to biosecurity practices across poultry farms and live bird markets remains the most effective way to curb the spread of the disease.
“Farmers must maintain proper hygiene, control access to poultry houses, disinfect equipment regularly, and prevent contact between domestic and wild birds,” Abba said.
He noted that early detection and timely reporting of unusual poultry deaths or signs of illness would enable rapid response and effective containment. Abba assured stakeholders that all reports would be handled professionally and in the collective interest of the poultry sector.
Abba added that the ministry, through its veterinary services and in collaboration with partners such as OLAM, would continue to strengthen disease surveillance, veterinary extension services, and response capacity.
He explained that Avian Influenza is not only an animal health challenge but also a public health concern, and that the state’s mitigation efforts are guided by the One Health approach.
The Permanent Secretary urged stakeholders, including the Poultry Association of Nigeria, to actively participate in discussions and propose practical, field-based solutions to reduce the risk of outbreaks.
Also speaking, Dr Zakariya Pakachi, Director of Veterinary Services, described the meeting as timely as the state enters the influenza season. He highlighted the government’s strong commitment to agriculture through increased budgetary allocations, noting steady growth from 2023 to 2025 and further improvement in the 2026 appropriation.
Pakachi expressed confidence that sustained collaboration would strengthen the resilience of the poultry industry, safeguard livelihoods, and enhance food security in the state.
It was reported that the ministry inaugurated an Avian Influenza Rapid Response Team to mitigate potential outbreaks. The team will carry out decontamination of poultry farms and live bird markets for three months across Kaduna State.
