In the aftermath of the bird flu cases that reportedly claimed over 2, 500 chickens last week in Lagos and Kano states, at least three other states are currently under surveillance by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) as part of the effort to prevent the disease from spreading, even as the Federal government, has expressed willingness towards compensating affected farms.

Disclosing this development in Lagos, during a chat with newsmen, President of PAN, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, who noted that the outbreak was not unexpected, however, said 11 suspected farms in three different states has been under their close watch, even before the disease surfaced in Lagos and Kano.

Oduntan, who declined to mention the affected farms and the specific states under surveillance, added that the H5 strain of avian influenza virus found in chicken is being carried by a wide range of migratory birds and Nigeria happens to be seated at the junction of their migration the plans by government for compensation, Oduntan disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has shown commitment towards compensating all affected farms.