The Federal Government said on Wednesday that it was in full control of the outbreak of bird flu, saying it was using multiple approaches to combat the virus. Dr Ademola Raji, Director, Animal Production and Husbandry Services, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, said this in an interview with newsmen in Abuja.

According to him, the Federal Government will soon eradicate bird flu (Avian influenza) from the country. “The Federal Government is in full control of the situation and is using multiple approaches to combat the flu. “I can assure you that Government is making good progress in the control of bird flu and sooner than later, it would be stamped out of the country.

“It is an agriculture issue but we are working in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Information and other development partners like Food and Agricultural Organisation to combat it, ’’ he said.

Raji said that the poultry products are safe for consumption, and advised Nigerians to ensure proper cooking and high level of hygiene. The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, had confirmed the outbreak of bird flu in 11 states in January.

Adesina listed the states as Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Delta, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Imo, Oyo and Jigawa states. According to him, as at Jan. 27 a total of 232,385 birds had been exposed and 51, 444 birds mortality had been recorded in the affected states.

Adesina also approved N145 million as compensation for affected farmers whose farms had been depopulated as a measure to control the spread of the flu. The minister also urged farmers to report any case of poultry disease to appropriate authority or veterinarians for proper application of control measures.