Plateau Steps Up Campaign Against Bird Flu

In a frantic effort to prevent an outbreak of Avian Influenza in Plateau State, the government has step up campaigns against the disease. Meanwhile, the state is popular for poultry business in the country. Hon Gregory Yenlong, the state commissioner for Information and Communications told a news conference in Jos that the campaign includes production and distribution of information materials on the disease. Besides, he said Avian Influenza Communication Desk Offices have been established in the 17 Local Council in the State, just as workshops were being organised. Other measures include training chicken sellers and processors among others.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner said that 33 poultry farmers, whose affected birds were destroyed in Plateau State have been compensated by Federal Government. According to him, they were compensated to the tune of N49.2.

Consequently, he advised the people, especially poultry farmers to observe healthy behaviours to prevent another outbreak in the state. Yenlong listed such healthy behaviours to include washing of hands with soap and water after coming in contact with birds; separating sick birds from healthy population, and adequate cooking of chickens before consumption among others.

He recalled that Jos North and South Local Councils of the state were affected in 2006. the outbreak of the disease at Sambawa farms, Kaduna State was reported in February, 2006. going down memory lane, he said 97 Local Councils in 25 states of the federation were affected.