Bird Flu now in 11 States - Fed. Govt

The Federal Government on Wednesday announced that the avian influenza virus, also known as bird flu, is now present in 11 states of the federation.

 

The government confirmed the presence of the virus in Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Plateau, Gombe, Imo, Oyo and Jigawa states.

 

At a meeting with commissioners of agriculture from the 36 states of the federation, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina,  said the total number of birds exposed had risen to 232,385 and that 51,444 mortalities had been recorded.

 

He said Kano had the highest exposure rate of birds. He put the number of birds exposed in the state at 136,905 with 17,987 mortality level, while Lagos State had 38,845 birds exposed with 4,732 mortality level.

 

Adesina also announced a compensation of N145.14m to 39 farmers in the 11 affected states where de-population of the birds had been carried out by the Federal Government.