BIRD FLU RESURFACES, KILLS 11, 000 BIRDS IN ONE WEEK

Bird flu also known as avian influenza has resurfaced and has since killed no less than 11, 000 birds in Plateau state, Nigeria, over the past week.

The chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria in Plateau, John Dasar, while confirming the reappearance of the deadly bird infection stated that about six farms has so far been depopulated.

Commenting on the reason behind the rapid spread of the infection in just one week, Dasar also said that some farmers would prefer to sell their affected birds to desperate marketers instead of reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities.

Though condemnable, it seems that poultry farmers in the state, owing to hard times, will prefer to sell infected birds to buyers rather than report the issue so as not to lose all their investment.

Nonetheless, Dasar has encouraged poultry farmers in the state to report all avian flu cases in order to stop the rapid spread of the disease which occurs when birds are moved from one place to another after sale.

Yes poultry farmers will lose their birds; however, Dasar has assured that they will be compensated especially since modalities for compensation are currently on ground.

“We were with the minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, a month ago and he promised that something would be done in no distant time; to ensure that compensations are paid,” Dasar said.

Thus, poultry farmers are encouraged to report cases of bird flu to the appropriate authorities in order to put a stop to the spread of the deadly influenza. So far, about 130 farmers have been affected.