Delta calls for vigilance as bird flu ravage farms

Photo: health.com

Poultry Farmers in the State have been advised to be vigilant on the spread of avian influenza in their farms.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Julius Egbedi in the company of his Information counterpart, Mr Charles Aniagwu gave the advice while briefing newsmen at Asaba, Yesterday.

The Commissioner for Agriculture explained that the Ministry was notified about dying birds on 2nd June, at Ughelli ,Ughelli North  Local Government Area.

Egbedi said that a team of experts from the Ministry were thereon sent to the farm to ascertain and obtain samples for testing and the result showed the cause of death to be bird flu.

Infected birds were consequently destroyed while the farm was disinfected.

According to Egbedi,  the present official  report shows that a total of 164,173 birds have   been lost in  seven LGAs of the State.

He disclosed that the Ministry is working with Local Government Chairmen and Poultry Farmers Association to create awareness about the flu and the need to be cautious about birds that come in contact with their farms so as to arrest the development.

Encouraging the farmers to report any suspected case of bird flu to the Ministry, he revealed that Birds destroyed by State Ministry of Agriculture might receive palliatives for their loss.

The Commissioner for Information, however sympathized with the farmers while assuring them that “Government will meet them halfway” to mitigate their loss.

Aniagwu advised the farmers not to allow infected birds get to into the market or other farms so as to avoid other challenges.