Official-Bird Flu Surfaces In Plateau, Kills 300 Birds

Avian influenza, popularly known as bird flu, has killed 300 birds in a farm in Plateau.

The Chief Veterinary Officer of the state, disclosed this to reporters on Wednesday in Jos, noting that the outbreak was confirmed by the National Veterinary Research Institute in Jos.

He also said the affected farm was located in Bassa Local Government Area of the state, as he called on poultry farmers in the state to take stringent biosecurity steps to prevent the spread and save their birds.

“When we got wind of the suspected outbreak at Bassa, we immediately went there and took a sample that was later confirmed positive by the NVRI laboratory.

“It was a 100 per cent morbidity; of the 300 birds, more than 280 died. We later depopulated the remaining ones.

“We also sealed off the farm and took other biosecurity steps to avert further spread of the disease to other farms,” he said.