Bird flu: Katsina takes campaign to bird markets

Daily Trust reports that out of the five suspected farms tested, two were confirmed positive with about 8,645 birds killed by the dreaded flu.Briefing newsmen, the state Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Adamu Mato, said already several meetings have been held with members of the poultry association and that of poultry sellers on the […]

Daily Trust reports that out of the five suspected farms tested, two were confirmed positive with about 8,645 birds killed by the dreaded flu.
Briefing newsmen, the state Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Adamu Mato, said already several meetings have been held with members of the poultry association and that of poultry sellers on the need to prevent further spread.
According to him, already government has started the processes of getting compensation for the farmers with forms to that effect having been filled by the affected farmers with a view to taking proper stock for the payment by the federal government.
It could be recalled that about a month ago poultry farmers in the state took some proactive measures to address the bird flu issue.
According to the state vice chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Musa Danhassan, the farmers have barred visitations and excursions to poultry farms and that people buying eggs must not be allowed into farms but remain at a safe distance to avoid transmission.
He said the farmers were equally told to dispose dead chickens properly and carefully examine them to know the cause of death, noting that they encourage spraying of chemicals periodically to prevent infections.
Danhassan said farmers are also told to avoid buying mature and grown up chickens from outside the state.