Bird flu has been detected in two more Nigerian states, the government said today.
News that the virus had moved to fresh areas of Nigeria came as the World Animal Health Organisation reported that domestic ducks in Nigeria's northern neighbour Niger had tested positive for the deadly H5N1 strain.
In Nigeria, latest tests showed the presence of the virus in Nasarawa and Yobe states, Information Minister Frank Nweke said, although authorities could not yet specify whether it was the deadly H5N1 strain. Samples are being sent to Italy.
Yobe state forms part of the northern border with Niger. Since Nigeria first reported the presence of H5N1 on February 8th, bird flu has now been detected in seven of its 36 states and in its central Federal Capital Territory.
The government has ordered quarantine, culling and transport restrictions to try to contain the virus, and has also banned the transport of poultry in passenger vehicles.
UN Food and Agriculture Organisation experts have said that unless it can be controlled, the H5N1 outbreak in Nigeria could cause a regional disaster. They say that Africa is ill-equipped in terms of health resources and funds to combat the disease.
The World Bank said on Friday it was planning a $50 million project to help Nigeria fight bird flu. The funding would come from the bank's new global financing facility for avian flu.