An outbreak of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has resulted in the deaths of 300 birds on a farm in Plateau State.
Dr. Shase’et Sipak, the state’s Chief Veterinary Officer, confirmed the development in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Jos. He stated that the outbreak, which occurred in Bassa Local Government Area, was verified by the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in Vom.
According to Sipak, authorities responded swiftly upon receiving reports of a suspected outbreak. “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,” he said.
The farm experienced a 100 percent morbidity rate, with over 280 birds succumbing to the disease before officials intervened to depopulate the remaining ones. “We also sealed off the farm and took other biosecurity steps to avert further spread of the disease to other farms,” Sipak added.
He urged poultry farmers to implement strict biosecurity measures to protect their flocks and prevent further outbreaks.
NAN
