Bird Flu: Over 9,000 birds in Kano State

Kano State government has explained that over 9,000 birds have been killed since bird flu reappeared in the state two weeks ago.

The Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Shehu Bawa, who made the disclosure yesterday in Kano, said that the birds were killed in two poultry farms that had been infected with the disease in the state.

According to Bawa, “As I am talking to you now, only two farms were hit by the disease and the farms had since been depopulated. We killed 500 birds in the first farm, while 8,500 were killed in the second farm.”
Bawa said the ministry would intensify surveillance and disinfection of other farms to check the spread of the disease and would continue to sensitise farmers on the need for them to ensure clean environment.

He urged Federal Government to pay compensation to farmers who lost their birds in 2015, as the affected farmers were yet to receive anything from government.

He emphasised the need for government to compensate the affected farmers in view of the economic situation in the country.

“The payment will greatly assist in checking the spread of the disease as they (poultry farmers) would promptly report any outbreak of the disease to government since they know they would get compensation,” Bawa said.

The director added: “Even if they are not fully compensated, Federal Government should assist the affected farmers to alleviate their sufferings.”