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CAMEROON KILLS BIRDS, CONSTRUCTS A BARRIER TO PREVENT BIRD FLU SPREAD

CAMEROON KILLS BIRDS, CONSTRUCTS A BARRIER TO PREVENT BIRD FLU SPREAD
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Ekeomah Atuonwu

After confirming an outbreak of the highly virulent H5N1 bird flu, Cameroonian officials have erected sanitary barriers around poultry farms in the western city of Bafoussam.

Authorities claim a “significant” number of birds have died, while farmers claim they have been forced to kill thousands of hens.

Despite a bird flu outbreak, the Association of Chicken Sellers said at least 1,300 birds were flown to cities around the country on Tuesday at the Bafoussam chicken market.

The association’s spokesman, Dieudonne Kepseu says he fears that his birds would be slaughtered after livestock officials informed them of a bird flu epidemic in Kongso, a neighbouring village, this week.

A chicken seller waits for customers in Bertoua, Cameroon /VOA/

The highly virulent H5N1 bird flu caused a “substantial” number of bird deaths at a poultry farm, according to a statement released by Cameroon’s West region governor on Monday.

The outbreak has been restricted to Bafoussam and adjacent areas, according to Cameroonian authorities.

Cameroon’s latest epidemic of bird flu in 2016 resulted in the killing of 45,000 birds and the layoff of hundreds of workers.

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Ekeomah Atuonwu