The Western Regional Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Simon Gbene has confirmed that no case of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) has been recorded in the region after monitoring and testing of some samples in the laboratory.
According to him, though the region has recorded cases of Bird Flu in time past, the region is currently free from the recent outbreak which has affected three of Ghana’s regions.
So far, a total of 5,811 birds have died naturally on affected farms while 4,500 birds were also destroyed in some farms in Greater Accra, Central, and Volta regions to curtail the spread according to the Director of the Veterinary Services Directorate, Dr. Patrick Abakeh.
Speaking on Adzekye Mu Nsem today, Dr. Simon Gbene said that no case of Bird Flu has been recorded but stakeholders in the region must continue to work hard towards maintaining all the basic protocols in operating and managing farms in the region.
“Western Region is still monitoring and picking samples to check out for the condition but so far, no case has been recorded out of our investigations. Though we have recorded Bird Flu outbreak in time past, we are free from the recent development for now”.
He went on to advise farm owners to be cautious of “Migrating Birds” who could spread the disease by feeding on leftovers and leaving their residuals on the farm environment. Some of these flying strange birds could enter the house of the farm birds to infect them. He urged the farmers to ensure proper disposal of waste.
He added that farmers who allow visitors on their farms is a wrong practice and “seeking professional advice from colleague farmers must also be stopped, but rather farmers should resort to the services of a professional veterinary officer”, he also cautioned.
“It’s better to receive professional advice from a veterinary officer than relying on your friends for professional advice, this practice has been going on and farmers must put a stop to it.”
Dr. Simon Gbene finally urged farmers to look out for signs and symptoms of Bird Flu as soon as possible, “it begins to show up in birds from three to four days of infection”.
Among some of the symptoms of Bird Flu include stress, blood in urine and feces, depression, reduction in egg production, increased water intake, very reddish comb, and more.
Francis Akom Buadu, President Poultry Farmers Association, STMA speaking on proactive measures poultry farmers in the metropolis are adopting to save the situation, the president said that they are expecting to hold an emergency meeting to address all emerging issues to find the best possible solution to prevent any casualty.
He maintained that the association will continue to impress upon its members to maintain standard practice at their farms.
“We are convening an emergency meeting come Wednesday 21st, July 2021 to deliberate with our members on the best way to handle this wave which has not entered our jurisdiction. We will continue to ensure that our members are maintaining standard protocols in their farms ’’
The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has announced the following measures for immediate compliance:
1. A total ban on the importation of Poultry and Poultry products from neighboring countries where the prevalence of the disease has been confirmed.
2. A ban on the movement of Poultry and Poultry Products within and from the affected regions and districts to other parts of the country, and strict inspection and issuance of permits to cover the movement of all poultry and poultry products from unaffected parts of the country.
3. Intensification of public awareness and sensitisation by Regional Coordinating Councils and District Assemblies, especially in the affected areas.
To further ensure public safety for citizens, the Ministry has advised that people should
i. report any unusual death of domestic poultry and wild birds to the nearest Veterinary office and public authorities,
ii. avoid the handling of dead birds with bare hands at all cost,
iii. consume only well-cooked poultry meat and poultry products.
The Ministry assured the general public that there is no cause for fear and panic since the Veterinary Services Directorate is taking all necessary steps to contain the outbreak and spread of the disease to other parts of the country.
Story by Kwame Offei
