The Veterinary Service Department has issued a red warning for 12 locations throughout the country is due to a potential epidemic of avian flu.
According to the Department, the Avian Influenza illness (bird flu) has killed approximately 33,000 chickens in Ghana’s Greater Accra, Volta, Central, and Ashanti regions two weeks ago.
Given that, its officers in the five regions of the North, the three Bono Regions, the Western, Western North, Eastern, and Oti Regions have been asked to put in measures to prevent an outbreak.
Dr. Benjamin Kissi Sasu, the Veterinary Service Directorate’s Risk Communicator indicated that the outbreak began from three regions, then increased to four.
“So now, all the regions are on alert. The Emergency Response Team is dealing with the regions and continuing with the education and awareness creation. We are hoping that the ministry [of Agric] will continue to support in terms of logistics and staff strength. So far, we are on guard, updating farmers and other stakeholders on what is happening.” He added.
Following the outbreak, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture announced a total ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products from neighboring countries where the prevalence of the disease has been confirmed.
Furthermore, the Ministry stated that Regional Coordinating Councils and District Assemblies, particularly in the impacted regions, have increased public awareness and sensitization.
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Ben-Dave A. Nana Osei-Bonsu
