Akwanga:The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has initiated training for 62 multisectoral officers to enhance surveillance and early detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in wildlife and wetlands. This training commenced with a six-day National Training of Multisectoral Officers on HPAI Surveillance in Wildlife and Wetlands held in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Samuel Anzaku, Chief Veterinary Officer of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of effective surveillance in protecting animal health, food security, livelihoods, and public health. Represented by Dr. Alao Mitchell, Anzaku highlighted that HPAI remains a significant threat to poultry production, trade, biodiversity, and public health, with wild birds and wetlands playing crucial roles in the transmission of avian influenza viruses.
The training is aimed at improving the officers’ capacity to detect, report, and respond effectively to threats at the wildlife-livestock-human interface. It also serves as a platform to enhance coordination, information-sharing, and collaboration among institutions responsible for wildlife, animal health, environmental, and public health.
The initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s animal health system through enhanced surveillance, preparedness, laboratory capacity, disease prevention, and response. Anzaku stressed the need for collaboration among various services, including veterinary, livestock, wildlife, environmental, and public health institutions.
Anzaku also noted the importance of communities living and working around wetlands as partners in disease surveillance, urging them to use the training to enhance practical knowledge and establish professional networks. He appreciated the support from the Strengthening Infectious Disease Detection System (STRIDES) Project in enhancing Nigeria’s capacity for wildlife disease surveillance and response to HPAI.
The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing food security and economic growth, and the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NLGAS) were highlighted as frameworks to strengthen the livestock sector. Officials from various organizations, including the STRIDES-Nigeria project, Federal Ministry of Environment, and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, commended the initiative and pledged support for effective disease surveillance and control.
The training was organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), with participants from Adamawa, Kano, and the Federal Capital Territory.