The recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has severely impacted poultry farms in Nigeria and Togo, raising concerns among farmers and authorities. In Nigeria, the country’s veterinary authority reported four new outbreaks of the H5N1 virus serotype in March. The first case emerged at Olam Farm and Hatchery in Kaduna state, where nearly 2,200 out of 34,000 birds succumbed to the disease. The remaining birds were culled to prevent further spread. Within a week, additional outbreaks were detected in the states of Zamfara and Kano, both of which border Kaduna. One outbreak affected a farm with 6,500 poultry in Zamfara, while two smaller backyard flocks in Kano also tested positive for the virus.
The persistence of HPAI in Nigeria is alarming, as the outbreak series has been ongoing since December 2020. Since then, 475 outbreaks have been recorded, impacting more than 2.47 million birds nationwide. The economic losses for farmers and the poultry industry remain substantial, as authorities struggle to contain the spread. Despite efforts to mitigate the disease through culling and preventive measures, the virus continues to pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s poultry sector.
Similarly, Togo has seen a recent upsurge in HPAI cases. Between mid-February and mid-March, four outbreaks were verified in chicken farms in various regions. The first outbreak, which occurred in the Central region, killed around 80% of the 2,928 hens on the affected farm. The existence of the H5 virus family was established in this instance. Subsequent outbreaks in the latter half of March impacted two farms in the Maritime region, totaling 2,050 and 3,439 birds. One of these farms is less than ten kilometers from the Beninese border, prompting fears about the virus’s potential cross-border spread. Togo had been free from HPAI for seven months prior to these outbreaks, making this resurgence particularly concerning for the country’s poultry industry.
The spread of avian influenza is not limited to West Africa. In September of last year, the first detection of the H5N1 virus in the British Overseas Territory of St. Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha was reported. Three seabirds found dead on Gough Island tested positive for the virus, highlighting the risk of transmission through migratory birds. This detection underscores the global nature of HPAI and the need for continuous monitoring of wildlife and domestic poultry populations.
Egypt has also faced challenges with avian influenza, reporting four HPAI outbreaks between November and December of 2024. A total of 5,712 birds were affected across different locations. In November, an outbreak in Faiyam governorate resulted in the detection of an H5 virus in approximately 2,000 poultry. Around the same time, two birds tested positive for the H5N8 variant in Damietta governorate. In December, two additional outbreaks were recorded, including a small flock in Monufia and a larger outbreak affecting 3,700 poultry in Qalyubiyya. To combat the spread of the disease, Egyptian authorities administered vaccines to nearly 360,000 poultry.
The avian flu situation in Sub-Saharan Africa remains worrying, especially since the most recent wave of HPAI began in October 2024. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), just two African countries—Nigeria and Niger—have recorded incidences of the disease in chicken during this time period. Nigeria has seen 14 outbreaks in the last five months, while Niger has only reported one case among domestic poultry. The small number of recorded cases does not minimize the gravity of the problem, as the disease remains a continual threat to poultry farmers and the sector as a whole.
With the continuous spread of HPAI throughout several locations, authorities and poultry breeders must apply strict biosecurity measures. Vaccination programs, early detection, and rapid response tactics are critical for reducing losses and preventing future transmission. The global poultry business must stay cautious in combating avian influenza and ensuring the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on poultry farming.
