Lagos State Government said it has commenced a two-week decontamination of 26 major poultry markets against the resurgence of avian influenza otherwise known as bird flu.
The news was disclosed by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya.
Olusanya explained that the decontamination exercise was informed by the reported resurgence of the flu in Kano and Plateau States.
She noted that it was important to take preventive measures to prevent the occurrence of the flu but failed to disclose the 26 live bird marts.
The commissioner stated that with 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, it was not only imperative to curtail its resurgence, it is of utmost importance to act fast.
“Due to the recent reports of the resurgence of Bird Flu in Kano and Plateau States on January 29, 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,” she said.
The commissioner noted that measures to prevent the resurgence of avian influenza in the state could not be overemphasized as 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.
Olusanya further disclosed that the State Government has set up surveillance networks across seven zones namely Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Surulere, Ajah and Ojo.
According to her, 30 animal disease surveillance agents have similarly been assigned to carry out disease surveillance and bio-security monitoring in poultry farms and live bird markets located within the zones.
“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, “she stated.
