The Nigerian government is partnering the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, to contain the spread of avian influenza and other zoonotic diseases in the country.
Speaking to newsmen at a workshop in Abuja, the National Coordinator, FAO’s Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases,ECTAD, Ayodele Majekodunmi, said the plan was to build capacity of 60 veterinarians in its In-Service Veterinary Epidemiology Training on detecting and controlling animal diseases, that can affect humans.
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After two years of zero-incidence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, HPIA, in Nigeria, the country is experiencing a resurgence of the epidemic and therefore is putting measures in place for a national response that would curtail the devastation that is anticipated.
As part of the existing avian influenza response plans, the Federal ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working jointly with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The team is also working on training veterinarians to contain the spread.
The National Coordinator, FAO’s Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases, Ayodele Majekodunmi, insist that the training will enhance skills and competencies of veterinarians to manage health emergencies in animals through surveillance.
The workshop was organised by Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Department of Veterinary and Pest Control Services, DVPCS, in partnership with the FAO
The theme for the workshop is: Strengthening National Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, HPAI, Outbreak and National Workforce Development Strategy.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
