The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has announced that the country has been hit by the Avian Influenza H5N1 easily referred to as “Bird Flu”. The NCDC Director-General, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu confirmed that 7 states in the country has been hit by the deadly Avian Influenza.
Dr Ihekweazu made the announcement yesterday Tuesday, April 6, where he disclosed that 7 northern states, of Kano, Plateau, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kaduna and Niger States have all been hit by the Bird Flu virus.
Ihekweazu also said an official notification about the outbreak had been conveyed to the World Health Organisation (WHO), as required by the International Health Regulations (IHR).
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Strains of the influenza virus that primarily infect birds, can also infect humans. This type of flu is most often contracted by contact with sick birds. It can also be passed from person to person.
Symptoms begin within two to eight days and can seem like the common flu. Cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath may occur.
The disease can carry high mortality in humans. Some antiviral drugs, if taken within two days of symptoms, may help.
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