Bird flu kills over 164,473 in Delta

AUTHOURITY in Delta State says, over 164,473 birds have been killed by Avian Influenza popularly known as bird flu ravaging poultry farms across six local government areas of the state.

  Disclosing this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the influenza outbreak, Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture, Julius Egbedi, said the influenza was ravaging poultry farms in Delta State.

  Explaining that laboratory analysis indicated that the birds were being affected by the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) strain, the commissioner noted that the disease was first reported on June 2, 2021.

  According to Egbedi, some poultry farms affected by the disease were yet to officially report them.

  “Udu, Sapele, Okpe, Oshimili South, Ughelli South, and Ughelli North council areas have so far reported the disease. At the moment, 164,473 birds have been killed by avian influenza. This is what is officially reported, there might be others. We need to let our people know of this if not, it will engulf the entire state and lead to the collapse of the poultry industry,” Egbedi said.

  Also speaking during the press conference, Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu sympathised with the affected farms and said government was already intervening with a view to curtailing the spread

   “Government will meet them halfway because their action is helping to curb unemployment. We want to sustain agricultural practice and poultry production, in particular, in the state.” Aniagwu said