Federal Govt Tells Nigerians How To Avoid Bird Flu Infection

By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Bird flu can infect humans, and therefore, information on how to avoid the disease has been released by federal government.
“Keep children away from sick and already dead fowls and other birds,” the release titled: “Healthy Behaviours Against Bird Flu For Families and Communities” stated.
Jointly issued by Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, the government advised people to always wash hands with soap and water after touching any fowl, chicken, eggs or birds.
“Do not slaughter, eat or use sick or already dead fowl or birds,” the federal ministries warned.
The use of fowl droppings as manure has also being condemned by the ministries, because such practice can transmit the disease to humans.
They urged people to report cases of sick or dead fowls or birds to the nearest authority or veterinary office in their community; and to seek immediate treatment if they fall ill, especially after contact with already dead or sick fowl or birds.
Bird flu is a disease that affects animals with feather, that is, birds, and often leads to their death, the authorities said. “It can also infect humans resulting in very grave health problem,” the ministries stressed, noting that people and members of their families can avoid contacting bird flu by maintaining healthy behaviours against it,