National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) has said that new cases of bird flu have been discovered in Abia and Enugu.
Executive Director of the institute, Dr Mohammed Ahmed told NAN that it was the first time the flu was found in the two eastern states.
He said “The last cases we stamped out in May, after destroying more than 1.4 million birds, affected only 18 states. Now the two states have come down with the disease and brought the total to 20 states.
“Unfortunately, the young birds came down with the disease, which means that we have not been enforcing the restriction in movement that is a key step in controlling disease.”
He advised farmers to take biosecurity seriously, he said “The small poultry farms do not take biosecurity seriously. But the big farms have massive investments and do not play with the safety of their birds.
“The only way we can contain the flu totally is by consistent surveillance; we must always pick samples from affected areas and areas not affected.
“Once we receive the response and the go ahead, we shall start the active surveillance and I am sure that we shall then be able to check the spread of the flu.”