The first person in Nigeria died of bird flu

A female victim, died after suffering from flu symptoms. Tests showed she was infected with the deadly H5N1 virus. This is the first case of bird flu death in sub-Saharan Africa since bird flu appeared in Nigeria a year ago.

The victim is only 22 years old, from Lagos commercial capital.

"Our group of 13 scientists can be sure this is a case of bird flu," Nigerian Information Minister Frank Nweke Jnr told a news conference in Lagos.

The emergence of bird flu in Nigeria could have a huge effect on the country.(Photo: VNN)

Health officials said tests were also conducted for the victim's mother and two others - who had just passed away - but given a negative result. Frank Nweke Jnr said blood samples were sent to foreign laboratories and the results were being studied by the World Health Organization.

More than 160 people have died from the H5N1 strain since the outbreak of bird flu in December 2003, mostly in Southeast Asia.

Worry

The United Nations has expressed concern over the Nigerian government's response to the disease as poultry continues to be transported by farmers everywhere despite being ordered to quarantine quarantine. Therefore, it is understandable that the victim bought infected chickens from a local farmer.

Dr. Abdulsalam Nasidi, head of the Nigerian government's anti-bird specialist, said bird flu is often the case of poultry slaughtering, not poultry-eaters. "This demonstrates that cooked chicken is safe and that contact or slaughter of sick poultry can be dangerous."

The emergence of bird flu in Nigeria could have a huge effect for the country, the most populous country in Africa and also home to millions of chickens.

Thanh Hao