The Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture has stepped up efforts to curtail the spread of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), among poultry birds across livestock farms and bird markets in the State.

          This indication emerged during a seminar organised by the Department of Veterinary Services, for stakeholders in the poultry value chain, at the Veterinary Hospital Complex, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta.

          In his welcome address, the Director in the Department, Dr. Taiwo Jolaoso said the deadly disease has wrecked a lot of havoc for farmers and marketers alike, stating that the development informed the training on measures needed to prevent and control the menace.

          Dr. Jolaoso noted that re-emergence of the disease in the country earlier in the year, has affected at least five live bird markets and eight commercial farms in Abeokuta South, Ado-Odo/Ota, Remo North, Odeda, Obafemi Owode, Ifo and Odogbolu Local Government Areas.

          He said farmers should be proactive by beefing up bio-security on their farms, employ experts and trained professionals in the care of their birds, desist from vaccinating the birds against avian influenza and obtain an operating license from the government.

          Jolaoso advised marketers to ensure cleanliness of their tools, such as cage and avoid visiting numerous farms, saying such actions would help government streamline affected farms against the disease.

          In his lecture, Deputy Dean, Veterinary Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Dr Oluwole enlightened participants on the risk factors of the disease, ranging from over-populated farms, mixed rearing of birds among others, urging farmers to decongest their pens and segment their animals by age, so as to minimise the impact of an outbreak.

          Oni added that farmers should desist from activities that foster the widespread of the disease such as, selling infected birds to unsuspecting public, instead they should alert the appropriate quarters so that test can be done and file for indemnity and compensation in case of losses.