Lagos  Moves Against Spread Of Avian Influenza 

4 years ago
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The Lagos State Government has  announced the commencement of a two week decontamination of 26 major poultry markets  to prevent the spread   of avian influenza (bird flu) in the state.
Abisola Olusanya, the state’s commissioner for Agriculture said that the exercise was informed by the reported resurgence of the flu in Kano and Plateau States, stating that it was of utmost importance for the state government to take preventive measures in order to prevent the occurrence of the flu in Lagos.
She stated that it was imperative to prevent its spread fast due to  the devastating nature of the disease to the poultry industry as well as its serious socio-economic impact on the livelihood of farmers and other poultry value chain operators in the state.
According to her, since the last outbreak of avian influenza in the State in 2017, routine animal disease surveillance activities have been carried out in the state mostly during the festive period, when there is a surge in the demand for birds in Lagos
“Due to the recent reports of the resurgence of Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) in Kano and Plateau States on the 29th of January 2021, it has become necessary to intensify preventive measures to forestall the resurgence in our State hence, we will be carrying out a two-week disinfection programme in 26 major poultry markets across the state.
“Within a space of one week, the outbreak has been confirmed in two commercial farms in Kano and another in Jos, Plateau State, an indication that the disease is rapidly spreading to other States.
“The spread of bird flu (H5N1) had been successfully curtailed in Lagos State since September 2007 when the last outbreak was put down. Since then, routine animal disease surveillance activities have been carried out in the state. Disinfection exercises are also being conducted in major live bird markets across the state, mostly during the festive period, when there is a large movement of birds into the state,” Olusanya disclosed.
She said the state has no fewer than 3,000 poultry farms of different categories as well as 150 live bird markets within its territory which serve as outlets for poultry and poultry products from various parts of the country.
She said the state government has set up surveillance networks across seven zones at Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Surulere, Ajah and Ojo,adding  that 30 animal disease surveillance agents have  been assigned to carry out disease surveillance and bio-security monitoring in poultry farms and live bird markets located within the zones.
She said:“The state has been divided into seven surveillance zones of Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Surulere, Ajah and Ojo. In addition, 30 animal disease surveillance agents have been assigned to carry out disease surveillance and bio-security monitoring in poultry farms and live birds’ markets located within the above stated zones.
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