Lagos State Government has  began a two-week decontamination of 26 major poultry markets against the resurgence of avian influenza (bird flu) in some parts of the country.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, who disclosed this in Lagos , explained that the decontamination exercise was informed by the reported resurgence of the flu in Kano and Plateau States, noting that it was of utmost importance for the State Government to take preventive measures in order to prevent an occurrence of the flu in Lagos.

The Commissioner stated that with the devastating nature of the disease to the poultry industry, as well as its serious socio-economic impact on the livelihood of farmers and other poultry value chain operators, it was not only imperative to curtail its resurgence, but also of utmost importance to act fast.

According to her, since the last outbreak of avian influenza in the State in 2017, routine animal disease surveillance activities have been carried out in the State, mostly during the festive period when there is a surge in the demand for birds.

Her words: “Due to the recent reports of the resurgence of Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) in Kano and Plateau States on the 29th of January 2021, it has become necessary to intensify preventive measures to forestall the resurgence in our State, hence we will be carrying out a two-week disinfection programme in 26 major poultry markets across the State”.

“The spread of bird flu (H5N1) had been successfully curtailed in Lagos State since September 2007 when the last outbreak was put down. Since then, routine animal disease surveillance activities have been carried out in the State. Disinfection exercises are also being conducted in major live bird markets across the State, mostly during the festive period, when there is a large movement of birds into the State”, Olusanya asserted.

The Commissioner noted that measures to prevent the resurgence of avian influenza in the State could not be overemphasised as Lagos has no fewer than 3,000 poultry farms of different categories, as well as 150 live bird markets within its territory, which serve as outlets for poultry and poultry products from various parts of the country.

Olusanya pointed out that the State Government has also set up surveillance networks across seven zones at Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Surulere, Ajah and Ojo, stressing that 30 animal disease surveillance agents have similarly been assigned to carry out disease surveillance and bio-security monitoring in poultry farms and live bird markets located within the zones.

“The State has been divided into seven surveillance zones comprising of Agege, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Surulere, Ajah and Ojo. In addition, 30 animal disease surveillance agents have been assigned to carry out disease surveillance and bio-security monitoring in poultry farms and live bird markets located within the above-stated zones”, the Commissioner added.

She gave the list of poultry markets to be decontaminated to include Awolowo Live Bird Market; Mushin Main Live Bird Market; Cairo Live Bird Market, Oshodi; Bolade Live Bird Market, Arena; Olaleye Live Bird Market; Bariga Live Bird Market; Ketu Live Bird Market; Mile 12 Live Bird Market; Tejuosho Live Bird Market; Oyingbo Live Bird Market; Jankara Live Bird Market, Lagos Island; Pelewura Live Bird Market, Lagos Island; Makanjuola Live Bird Market, Alade; Oja Oba Live Bird Market, Agege; Abattoirs I and II; Idera Live Bird Market and Isale Oja Live Bird Market, Agege.

Others are Alayabiagba Live Bird Market; Alaba Suuru Live Bird Market; Agboju Live Bird Market; Ojo Cantonment Live Bird Market; Alaba Rago Live Bird Market; Okokomaiko Live Bird Market; Ejina Live Bird Market, Ikorodu; Sabo Live Bird Market, Ikorodu; as well as Odongunyan Live Bird Market.