An outbreak of Bird flu also known as Avian Influenza has hit Plateau, killing at least 3,900 birds.
Dr Spak Shaset, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the state, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Jos, that the outbreak had affected two farms in Jos North and Jos South Local Government Areas.
“Sometime in January, when we heard of an outbreak of the dreaded disease in some parts of Bauchi State, we knew Plateau was at risk.
“I immediately summoned our divisional health officers in the 17 councils, and in less than 72 hours after we met, report got to us of suspected cases in some farms in the state.
“We immediately swung into action and took samples from the farms to our labs and it was confirmed it is bird flu.
“Without hesitation, we went and depopulated the farms to avoid further spread of the disease to other farms.
“More than 3,900 birds were destroyed; 2,900 from the farm in Jos South and 1,000 in the farm in Jos North.”
Shaset said the two farms were decontaminated, disinfected and quarantined, to avoid further spread to nearby farms and have other poultry farmers incur losses.
The official said the government had taken positive and stringent steps to avert further spread of the disease to other areas of the state.
Shaset charged poultry farmers and live bird marketers to step up bio-security and hygiene measures within and around their farms and markets.
He advised Plateau residents to avoid the sale, slaughtering and consumption of sick and dead birds, to avoid being infected.
