FG Trains 62 Officers to Detect Bird Flu Early in Wild Birds

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has begun training 62 officers from several sectors to strengthen surveillance and early detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in wildlife and wetlands.

 

The six-day National Training of Multisectoral Officers on HPAI Surveillance in Wildlife and Wetlands was declared open on Monday in Akwanga by the Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, Dr Samuel Anzaku.

 

Anzaku was represented by Dr Alao Mitchell, National Programme Coordinator of the Avian Influenza Control Programme, who delivered his remarks.

 

The Chief Veterinary Officer said effective surveillance was critical to protecting animal health, food security, livelihoods and public health.

 

He described HPAI as a significant threat to poultry production, livelihoods, trade, biodiversity and public health, noting that wild birds and wetlands play important roles in the ecology and transmission of avian influenza viruses.

 

Themed "Strengthening Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Early Detection of HPAI," the training, he said, is designed to improve officers' capacity to detect, report and respond effectively to threats at the wildlife-livestock-human interface.

 

"The training also provides an important platform to strengthen coordination, information-sharing and collaboration among relevant institutions responsible for wildlife, animal health, environmental and public health," he said.

 

According to Anzaku, the initiative is in line with the Federal Government's efforts to strengthen Nigeria's animal health system through improved surveillance, preparedness, laboratory capacity, disease prevention and response.

 

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration among veterinary and livestock services, wildlife and environmental authorities, public health institutions, laboratories, research institutions, local authorities and communities.

 

"No single institution can effectively address the disease threat in isolation.

 

"This approach also reinforces the One Health principle, recognising the interconnectedness of human health, animal health and the environment," he said.

 

He described communities living and working around wetlands as important partners in disease surveillance, saying they could contribute significantly to early warning when given appropriate awareness and functional reporting channels.

 

He urged participants to use the training to deepen their practical knowledge, clarify institutional responsibilities, improve information-sharing and build professional networks that would last beyond the programme.

 

Anzaku commended the Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection System (STRIDES) Project for supporting Nigeria's capacity for wildlife disease surveillance, early detection, preparedness and response to HPAI.

 

He said the partnership would contribute to the Federal Government's efforts to promote effective multisectoral collaboration under the One Health approach.

 

He added that President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda places strong emphasis on food security, economic growth, livelihood protection and resilient productive sectors, while the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NLGAS) provides a framework for strengthening the livestock sector and accelerating its contribution to national development.

 

Dr Philip Igawe, Infectious Disease Surveillance Adviser, STRIDES-Nigeria; Mr Gbetsere Aghogho of the Federal Ministry of Environment; and Dr Chinaemeka Joe-Iruobe, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Force Headquarters, commended the initiative in their remarks.

 

Dr Emeka Asiegbu of the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service; Dr James Ahmed of the National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom; and Dr Nasir Ahmed, Head of One Health at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), also pledged support for effective disease surveillance and control.

 

The speakers said effective surveillance remained a cornerstone of animal health, food security, public health and national economic development, and restated their commitment to strengthening disease diagnosis, research, preparedness and outbreak response.

 

The training was organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the NCDC, in partnership with STRIDES.

 

Participants were drawn from Adamawa and Kano states and the Federal Capital Territory.