Ekiti State Government has appealed to poultry farmers in the state to maintain proper hygienic environment to protect their birds from infectious diseases like avian influenza (bird flu) and others.

The Special Adviser on Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade made the plea while fielding questions from Journalists in his office in Ado Ekiti.

Mr. Boluwade who explained that Avian influenza, or “bird flu,” is a respiratory disease of birds caused by influenza A viruses. Wild birds, such as ducks, gulls, and shorebirds, can carry and spread these viruses but may show no signs of illness. However, avian influenza can kill domestic poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese).

He urged poultry farmers to adhere strictly to bio security measures, maintain cleanliness of the fowl pens and their surroundings through proper fumigation, isolate any birds returning from shows for 30 days to observe for signs of illness before placing them with the rest of the flock, and restrict traffic onto and off of poultry pens.

He urged the poultry farmers to report any issue that have to do with the health of their birds to the nearest Veterinary officials in their locality or Animal disease desk officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Ado Ekiti.

The Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Emmanuel Osayomi appreciated the Federal Government for usual support in the areas of capacity building and provision of surveillance framework within the states and local governments.