Posted by By YETUNDE OLADEINDE on
As the dreaded Avian flu pandemic spreads round the world, Akute a fast growing surburb in Ifo LGA, Ogun State has joined the list of casualities.
As the dreaded Avian flu pandemic spreads round the world, Akute a fast growing surburb in Ifo LGA, Ogun State has joined the list of casualities.
The latest detection of the avian influenza viruses has been traced to Animashaun farms located on Gaun road, Onibudo. When Saturday Sun visited the farms people were sighted in small crowds within the vicinity discussing the issue.
And as soon as you enter the gates there the same sober mood pervades with the security personnel hostile to strangers. This farm which is owned by the late Shobowale Animashaun has a capacity to produce at least 200,000 birds.
The spokesperson who simply identified himself as the organisation's Vetinary doctor confirms that their birds have been dying recently.
His words: "Some of our birds have died and we are really worried. Of course, this is not synonymous with our farm alone.
As you already know it is a global problem and farm owners are not having it easy at the moment. This farms has been in existence for the past 20 years. Though we have had our high and low moments, nothing compares to this".
"Saturday Sun investigations however revealed that no fewer than 8,000 birds were slaughtered on the farm Thursday.
Even though the government officials could not be reached for their own side of the story, a federal
Government mobile tean Jeep on the control of Epizoostics with registration number , FG437 TOS was
parked neatly at the farm entrance. The Vet doctor and other staff working on the farms wore mouth covers and gloves to protect themselves.
But People living in the neighbourhood appear to be the hardest hit by this development."Since yesterday morning they have been burning a lot of chickens and the whole area has been smelling badly. The did the same this morning and we are afraid because they say this thing goes around in the air", says Titilayo Azeez, a petty trader in the area.
Another resident, Pa Isaac Ajani says they have been praying that the epidemic would not affect human beings like it has done in other countries: "We also hear taht they are even going to lock up that place."Government should do the necessary things to protect the citizens and compensate the farmers."