Avian Influenza has hit seven local government Councils in Delta State leaving about 164,473 birds dead.
The councils in which 10 farms were affected include Udu, Oshimili South, Okpe, Sapele, Warri-South, Ughelli North, and Ughelli South.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Julius Egbedi disclosed at a briefing in Asaba on Wednesday, said the birds contacted the flu with other wild birds, adding that the dead birds were the confirmed figure of farms that were reported to the Ministry.
According to him, the first death of birds were reported to his ministry on June 22, 2021 by a farm owner in Ughelli North.
Samples of the affected birds, he said were sent to the Veterinery Hospital in Jos, Plateau State where Avian influenza was diagnosed.
On what the state government is doing to combat the disease, the Commissioner said:
“We have not been sleeping on the issue. What we have done is to find how to control the spread of the flu disinfecting affected farms.”
“We have also taken measures to curb the sale of affected birds to members of the public.”
Also speaking on the issue at the briefing, the Commissioner for information, Mr Charles Aniagwu said government has made arrangements to alleviate the sufferings of affected farms owners who, no doubt, have lost million of naira.
“Farms having below 3,000 birds could get palliative while those above 3,000 are supposed to have insured their farms against such unforseen contingencies,” he stated.
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