Nigeria and FAO Launch $350,000 Bird Flu Response Program

The Nigerian government, alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has initiated a $350,000 bird flu response program to bolster the country's preparedness against highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Announced by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the program aims to train 240 animal health personnel over the next nine months, enhancing Nigeria's capacity for early detection and rapid response to HPAI outbreaks.

The initiative is crucial as the poultry industry is vital for Nigeria's food security and economic growth, yet it faces ongoing threats from transboundary animal diseases, particularly HPAI, which first emerged in Nigeria in 2006. The resurgence of the disease in 2021 has had significant negative impacts on poultry farmers and food security.

The FAO's commitment includes support for disease surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and biosecurity measures across seven pilot states, addressing the ongoing challenges posed by HPAI outbreaks.