Avian Flu: Lagos Begins Decontamination of Markets

The Lagos State Government has commenced the decontamination of about 35 major bird markets.

The decontamination is done to prevent a diseas know as Avian Influenza and other bird birne diseases.

The State Commissioner for agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya said The decontamination would activate a proactive and preventive measures against the outbreak of any form of bird-borne diseases.

Olusanya explained that it has become pertinent to ensure a collaboration with stakeholders in that Agricultural value chain and to educate them on other preventive mechanisms to protect thier birds from diseases.

“The Lagos State Government is not only a proactive Government but a firm believer in the maxim that prevention is better than cure, and that is why from time to time, with our friend, at the Federal level we go around the length and breath of the State to decontaminate the bird markets and thus prevent the outbreak of bird  diseases like Avian Flu.

“Another thing we do during the exercise is to educate as well as enlighten the bird sellers on practical ways to take better care of those birds and latest practices in bird rearing and selling. These pep talks have gone a long way in reducing the spate of death among birds in the State” she said.

A Vertinary Epidemiologist at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Sito Modupe stressed that the purpose of the decontamination exercise is to prevent introduction of diseases causative agents which could be, viruses, bacteria, fungi among others.

She advised bird sellers to make sure they employ bio-security measures which include the changing of cages from wooden to steel or plastics, in order to make it more easier for them to clean and disinfect, besides the decontamination exercise that is being carried out by the Government.

The President of Live Birds Market in Lagos State, Mrs Aminat Ojosa commended the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Agriculture for sustaining the tempo of the decontamination exercise.

She said the practical lessons giving to bird selllers in the State on how they can take better care of the birds would go along way to reduce their mortality.

The first phase of the decontamination exercise started at the Awolowo market in Mushin area of Lagos.

Confidence Okwuchi