Bird Flu: Ekiti Issues Advisory on Prevention to Poultry Farmers

The Ekiti State Government has issued an urgent advisory to poultry farmers and related stakeholders to take necessary precautions against the spread of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in the state.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, highlighted the critical nature of the disease, describing Avian Influenza as a zoonotic disease—one that can be transmitted between birds and humans, thereby posing a serious health threat to both animals and people.

According to Boluwade, the highly infectious nature of the disease means it can devastate poultry farms, leading to significant economic losses if not properly controlled. The commissioner emphasized that the state must remain vigilant, especially now that suspected cases of Avian Influenza have already been reported in some other states across the country.

To mitigate the potential risks, Boluwade has urged poultry farmers and other relevant stakeholders to adopt stringent biosecurity measures on their farms. These include:

• Regular cleaning and disinfection of clothing, footwear, and equipment used on the farms.
• Ensuring that vehicles that enter and exit poultry farms are thoroughly sanitized to prevent cross-contamination.
• Avoiding the sharing of equipment between different farms to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
• Promptly reporting any signs of sickness or sudden deaths in poultry flocks to the nearest veterinary office.

The Commissioner also encouraged farmers to report any suspicious cases to the Avian Influenza Control Project Desk Office at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Ado-Ekiti, or directly at the local government veterinary offices.

“Timely intervention and cooperation from all stakeholders are crucial in preventing the spread of this disease, and we urge every poultry farmer to be proactive in safeguarding their birds and the broader community,” Boluwade concluded.

By taking these precautionary steps, the state hopes to prevent the devastating effects of Avian Influenza and protect both poultry farming and public health in Ekiti State.