Abuja, 13 February 2006 -- Nigeria’s Health Minister, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo, has urged Nigerians not to panic and assured that the government was taking measures to ensure that there was no human infection of the bird flu confirmed in poultry in northern Nigeria early this month.

‘’The Federal Ministry of Health will continue its proactive measures in coordinating efforts to ensure that we do not have any human infection and also that, if that happens, we will be able to contain it appropriately’’, Prof. Lambo said at a news conference in the Nigerian capital on Monday. 

The Minister stated that even before the bird flu outbreak in Nigeria was reported, the government had taken a number of preparatory measures to contain the disease. These include the establishment of two committees -- a Muti-sectoral Committee on Avian Flu to handle human cases if any occurs, and a Health Sector Technical and Advisory Committee on Pandemic Influenza which has developed a Strategic and Containment Action Plan for the Avian Influenza Pandemic in line with WHO Guidelines.

Prof. Lambo added that an ‘’Immediate Response Team’’ established by his ministry was coordinating all response activities and carrying out surveillance and case searching in collaboration with the local authorities in affected states. Laboratory capacity in the country is being strengthened to support rapid diagnosis of the disease as well as enhance field epidemiological activities. 

Other actions taken by the government, he said, were the institution of an active surveillance system; investigation of reported or rumoured human cases; introduction of quarantine measures and preparation for the isolation of infected persons, social mobilization and a vigorous information and communication campaign.

In addition, the Government of the United States of America and partners such as FAO, WHO, UNICEF have been mobilized to provide support and experts have been sent to affected areas to assess the situation and provide technical advice and support.

The Minister stated that the major areas of immediate need included supply of drugs such as Tamiflu; strengthening of laboratories for effective diagnosis and confirmatory tests; social mobilization and community awareness; capacity building for health personnel; effective epidemiological surveillance; supply of protective gear, and provision of other technical and logistics support.

Prof. Lambo said that the response of the international community had been encouraging and that his ministry was working closely with partners to establish an effective and sensitive communication network that would facilitate data generation and information sharing. 

Speaking at the press conference, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Luis Sambo expressed concern over the occurrence of the bird flu in poultry in Nigeria but pledged WHO continued assistance to contain the disease and fight the threat of human infection.

He stated that even though no human case had so far been reported in the country, government and development partners must remain vigilant.

Dr. Sambo also advised on the need to provide relevant information to members of the public to heighten awareness and enable them to protect themselves. He stressed the necessity for improved disease surveillance and the development of a well-articulated national action plan that could be implemented with the support of partners.

Earlier in the day, Dr Sambo had visited Kaduna state in northern Nigeria where the first case of the disease was confirmed on 6 February. He met with officials of the Kaduna State Bird Flu Response Committee and commended local authorities for their prompt response in culling all the birds in the farm where the bird flu was first reported.

For more information contact:

Mr. Austine Oghide

Tel: + 234 803 4022390 

Mr. Samuel Ajibola

Tel: + 234 803 4885996