Nigerian, Welsh researchers to develop Bird Flu Watch App to combat bird flu in poultry farms

NIGERIA – A team of researchers and entrepreneurs from Nigeria and Wales is collaborating on a digital platform designed to protect poultry farmers from the spread of bird flu. 

The Bird Flu Watch initiative aims to provide small-scale poultry farmers with resources to address the disease effectively.

In Nigeria, poultry farming is a key sector, contributing 25% to the agricultural GDP and providing 33% of the country’s total protein consumption. 

Despite its importance, surveys indicate that only 60% of poultry farmers are aware of bird flu, and less than 17% understand that the virus can transmit from animals to humans. 

Small-scale farmers, many of whom run backyard operations, are particularly vulnerable due to limited knowledge of biosecurity measures. 

Data reveals that over 40% of these farmers lack sufficient awareness of practices that could prevent disease outbreaks.

The project is being overseen by Dr. Edore Akpokodje, a computer science lecturer at Aberystwyth University in Wales.

According to Akpokodje, poultry farming is a vital source of protein and income for low-income households in Nigeria, making disease prevention crucial. 

The platform will provide expert guidance, surveillance data, and information on best practices to improve disease control and safeguard farmers, poultry, and the broader ecosystem.

Between 2021 and 2022, Nigeria reported 467 HPAI outbreaks across 31 of its 37 administrative regions.

Bird flu has long been a challenge for Nigeria. 

It was the first African nation to confirm an outbreak of avian influenza in January 2006, with cases originating from farms in Kaduna State. 

The virus quickly spread, killing millions of birds and causing significant economic losses. 

A 2007 human fatality marked the virus’s spillover into people, with a 22-year-old woman succumbing in Lagos State.

A 2023 study estimated that an outbreak infecting 10% of Nigeria’s commercial bird population could result in losses of around US$245 million (₦184 billion), with severe outbreaks potentially costing up to US$700 million (₦526 billion).

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