Abuja — Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Senator Adamu Aliero, has deployed trained veterinary doctors to man all entry points to the nation's capital, in a bid to forestall the outbreak of the deadly Avian influenzal flu, otherwise known as bird flu.

Aliero said this at the kick off of FCT avian influenza control project in Abuja, weekend, adding that the doctors would be examining live birds entering into the FCT to see if they are infected with viruses, or other pathogens that cause avian influenza.

Represented by the Secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Alhaji Mustapha Batsari, Aliero said the FCT Avian Influenza Control Project has equally commenced decontamination of live birds markets in the territory as a preventive measure against the spread of the bird flu.

He said the exercise was aimed at controlling avian influenza and other diseases that attack both poultry and human through contact with infected birds.

"The exercise is a continuous one since birds, like humans, can be attacked by diseases without warning. So it is an all year exercise, especially during the rainy season," he said.

Also speaking, Secretary, Chicken Sellers Cooperative Society, Mallam Musa Suleiman, commended the FCT Agriculture Secretariat for fumigating the markets free of charge, which has reduced the infection.