By Bisola Adeyemo
The Delta State Government has confirmed the outbreak of Bird flu in the state, while urging residents to remain calm saying that government is working earnestly to ensure the disease is curtailed.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Julius Egbedi, made this known while speaking with the news agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Asaba.
It was confirmed that about 164,173 birds have been reported dead.
Egbedi said “With reported figures put at 164,173, we know it may be more than this, but this is the official number from the reported cases.
”So far, some poultry farms across seven local government areas of the state have been affected by the flu.
“On June 22, we got a call from some poultry farms in Ughelli on birds dying in their numbers.
“We dispatched our team of veterinary experts to the farms and they collected samples which we sent to the Veterinary Institute in Gwon, Jos for analysis.
“However, when the result came out, it confirmed a case of the Avian Flu Influenza,” Egbedi said.
“We want to use this medium to reach out to poultry farmers across the state to report to the ministry if they notice any form of bird deaths.
“The state government is alive to its responsibility and will do everything necessary to protect the poultry business which is an integral part of our agriculture economy,” Egbedi said.
