Does the name Avian Influenza ring a bell? What do you know about Avian Influenza, also known as “bird Flu”?
Wikipedia, defines Avian Influenza, or “bird flu,” as a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting wild birds and domestic poultry.
While human infections are rare, recent 2024–2025 outbreaks have seen significant transmission to mammals, including dairy cattle and domestic cats.
Commenting on this, Dr. Nwokedi Onu, the Chief Veterinary Officer and Director of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance, Abia State Ministry of Agriculture, said most people mistake Avian Influenza for Newcastle Disease.
He opined that avian influenza (bird flu) affects humans, but added that such cases are currently rare as most human infections occur after close, unprotected contact with infected animals or highly contaminated environments.
Dr. Onu, contended that in the case of Newcastle Disease, birds that die in the cause, can be eaten with the necessary precautionary measures, adding that in the case of Avian Influenza, it is not advisable to eat birds that died from the disease to avoid contacting it.
The medical expert also hinted that this year 2025, the country faced new outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, primarily in northern and southern states.
Furthermore, few months ago, a multi-state outbreak in the U.S. led to more than 71 confirmed human cases. Most of these are linked to exposure to infected dairy cattle and poultry.
Onu also revealed that Avian Influenza incidents occurred in Kano, Katsina, Plateau, and Rivers State, while in Rivers State alone, a 3,000-capacity poultry farm was affected in January 2025, leading to strict quarantine and depopulation of the birds.
Observers have lauded Nigeria for it’s proactiveness which made the country not to record any human cases of avian influenza in the country despite the high number of poultry exposures.
On the other hand, authorities and the World Health Organization (WHO), have been alive to its responsibility of actively testing suspected human contacts in hotspots like Kano to monitor for potential zoonotic transmission.
What are the symptoms of Avian Influenza in humans?
According to Wikipedia, in humans, avian influenza (bird flu) symptoms can vary based on the strain and severity of the infection.
It was reported in 2024–2025 outbreaks, that a distinct “mild” presentation has been most common, though severe cases can quickly become life-threatening.
Dr. Onu mentioned symptoms of Avian Influenza in humans to include: Difficulty in breathing: Shortness of breath or rapid breathing (dyspnea).
Pneumonia: Severe lung infection, which can lead to respiratory failure.
Neurological: Altered mental state, confusion, seizures, or inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).
Organ Failure: Complications can include acute kidney injury, sepsis, and multi-organ failure.
What About Symptoms in Birds
Sudden Death: Birds may die rapidly without showing any prior signs of illness.
Physical Swelling & Discoloration:
Purple/blue discoloration (cyanosis) of the comb, wattles, and legs.
Swelling (edema) of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks.
Dr. Onu opined that Avian Influenza, is more dangerous than Newcastle Disease, warning Nigerians to report any signs of the symptom to the appropriate quarters for which intervention.
Source: Wikipedia, Dr. Nwokedi Onu.
