Chief Veterinary Officer of the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Doris Bitrus, said on Tuesday that over 22,000 birds have been destroyed as a result of the avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, which was reported early this year.
This is even as poultry farmers have raised the alarm over the rapid spread of the disease among farms in the state.
Though the initial reports said only four farms were affected, Bitrus said that about nine farms had been affected by the disease in the state.
She told our correspondent in Jos that the government has taken necessary measures to contain the spread of the disease.
According to her, “All relevant agencies are on the ground to curtail further spread and we have been visiting affected farms to fumigate them.”
She said the state  government had embarked on a campaign to advise members of the public to avoid the sale, slaughter and consumption of sick birds, adding that bird products should be properly cooked before consumption.
Chairman of  the Poultry Farmers  Association of Nigeria in Plateau state, Mr. John Dasar, told our correspondent on the telephone  that the disease was on the increase in the state.
He said the last time farms were checked on, ten of them were battling with the disease.