LAGOS, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved a credit of 50 million U.S. dollars to support Nigeria's efforts to deal with the deadly bird flu, according to a bank statement obtained on Saturday.

    "It aims to prevent the further spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza to other parts of Nigeria not yet infected by the virus ... through early detection and rapid response measures," the statement said.

    This credit will also help "farmers and veterinary and health services tackle the virus at its animal source and reduce opportunities for transmission to humans" and the government "prepare the necessary control measures to respond to a possible influenza pandemic," it said.

    The credit is provided on standard International Development Association (IDA) terms, with a commitment fee of 0.35 percent, a service charge of 0.75 percent over a 40 year period of maturity which includes a 10-year grace period

    Nigeria is the first country in Africa to report the presence of the H5N1 virus and the disease has now spread to 12 of the 36 states as well as the capital Abuja. The government has blamed illegal imports of poultry for the outbreak since January. Enditem