H5N1 avian – influenza virus Source: Promega Connections Chijioke Iremeka The recent emergence of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in wild birds, which is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with one recent human case occuring, is raising global concerns.
This has made consultant epidemiologists and public health physicians harp on the urgent need for the Federal Government and its agencies to consistently scale up epidemic preparedness, response strategies, and execution. This proactive approach, they said, is crucial to mitigate the potential impact of another pandemic on the country and prevent being caught in the web, should there be any shortly. The specialists highlighted that amid ongoing discussions concerning the H5N1 Flu and the looming threat of the next pandemic, there remains considerable room for improvement in Nigeria’s pandemic preparedness.
While acknowledging some past achievements by the government, the experts stressed the need for further enhancements to ensure the nation is adequately equipped to respond effectively to future pandemics. They said the lessons gleaned from the COVID-19 pandemic underscore the stark reality that no country can claim complete preparedness, stressing that even nations with seemingly robust infrastructure and advanced facilities faced significant challenges. Therefore, the physicians added, there is a critical imperative for Nigeria to fortify its defences comprehensively to guard against the potential outbreak .
