General News of Thursday, 2 March 2006

Source: GNA

Bird Flu not in country - MOFA Official

Dormaa-Ahenkro (B/A) March. 2 GNA - Dr. Agyemang Atuahene Kontor, Dormaa district director of Ministry of Food and Agriculture has explained that although the sensitization process about the avian bird flu was on course, it did not mean that people should cease eating chicken or eggs.

He said the Ministry and all stakeholders were doing everything possible to counteract the possible outbreak of the disease, which had not as yet been detected in any part of the country.

Speaking at a forum organised by Dormaa Poultry farmers Association, Dr. Kontor debunked speculations about the disease by consumers of poultry products in the country. The farmers raised concerns that their products were not being patronized, especially in Accra as the buyers held the erroneous impression that they were infested with the flu.

"As at now, there is no evidence to prove that the disease has reached the corridors of Ghana", the district director emphasised. Dr Kontor warned that any medical, veterinary officer or other persons who would be caught spreading the falsehood that the disease had indeed arrived in the country, when caught would be made to face the full rigours of the law.

He called on all poultry farmers and the general public to become abreast with the symptoms of the flu.