Following the reported out
break of Avian Flu, otherwise known as bird flu, in Port Harcourt, traders have been complaining of poor sales of chicken and eggs.
The Tide correspondent who visited some of the markets in Port Harcourt at the weekend observed that the usual patronage during such periods was not there, as most of the dealers were seen relaxing in their shops.
It was further observed that those who retail such eggs were also complaining as they could not even sell a crate as at the time our correspondent visited the market.
Although, some of them said they were not aware of the outbreak of the diseases, but expressed optimism that they would have a good sale before the end of the day.
A business woman and manager of Inabel Frozen shop, Madam Inabel Okumbia said she had been recording poor sales of recent until one of her customers informed her that it was because of the reported cases of bird flu in the state and other parts of the country.
Okumbia noted that the outbreak had really affected her business, especially on chickens, as she went to market and loaded cartons of chicken into the shop.
She called on the government to take urgent steps to ensure that the diseases is contained urgently to save them from incurring losses.
Another dealer, Mrs Ibifaa Johnbull expressed dismay that the issue of bird flu is being reported in the country again, after being experienced a few years ago.
Johnbull, the owner of J and J frozen food investment said the outbreak of the avian flu in Port Harcourt had been very worrisome as it is affecting their market with poor patronage, and complained that most of her customers who used to purchase frozen chicken now prefer to buy fish and other frozen meats.
She also called for quick intervention by the government and other authorities concerned.
A petty trader on chicken parts in one of the markets, who only gave her name as Uloma, lamented over the poor patronage unlike before, stressing that buyers are also scared after hearing the outbreak of bird flu in the state, but that she has confidence that it would soon be over like the dreaded Ebola virus.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Emma Chinda, who announced the outbreak said hundreds of fowls infected by the avian flu had been killed in a private farm in Port Harcourt.
Chinda also disclosed that the farm had been quarantined and decontaminated, after samples of the flu were taken to the Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State, enjoining the people of the state not to panic, as the state government is doing everything to contain the outbreak.

Collins Barasimeye