GHANA IS OFFICIALLY BIRDFLU FREE

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture at Accra declared Ghana free from Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) disease which catapulted the Tema Municipality, Asukwa in the Sunyani Municipality and Aflao in the Ketu District of Volta Region.

Quite frankly, it is very revealing that on the 2nd of May 2007, when Ghanaians were informed of the first ever outbreak of the virus, many poultry farmers were alarmed and castigated the government and the agencies involved to prevent the situation in the first place from entering into the country, but to my surprise, I paused to ask questions like; Do we rally know how the disease came to Ghana? But the answer I guess is as good as yours.

It is quite incredible to believe that, the virus which emanates from birds rather travels from one place to another, even from country to country without any visa acquisition. Unlike human beings who have to go through that tedious process.

Poultry farmers who started raising doubts to the experts such as the veterinary officers have now realized the veracity of the menace and are commending the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and its sub-Agencies for the quick response and the critical measures adopted to prevent further chaotic situations which could have affected the lives of Human beings in the country.

The outbreak which occurred on a small-scale poultry farm on 24th April, 2007 within the Tema Municipality revealed four (4) infected farms in the Tema area beside the other areas so far mentioned in my initial paragraphs. …action including the destruction of all birds, feed and materials likely to be contaminated at least twice by the staff of the veterinary services and were put under strict quarantine.

My research revealed that as at 2nd May, 2007, Ghana had the laboratory capacity to confirm Avian Influenza. All these cases mentioned above were confirmed by the Accra Veterinary Laboratory and the Noguchi Memorial for Medical Research. The government also took steps for research to be conducted at the US Naval Research Laboratory in Cairo and the World Organization for Animal Health on FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease in Padoza, Italy.

In another control measure 27,356 birds were destroyed whilst 13,371 birds died. A whooping compensation of 1,595,777,656 (one billion and ninety-five million , seven hundred and fifty six old Ghana cedis was paid as compensation to poultry owners through out the country.

Considering all these laudable efforts by the government and its agencies besides the citizens, our excitement should not defeat our quest to fight against the virus but rather adopt measures like quick reportage to the appropriate agencies responsible for prompt action to be taken. Individual should also wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water; cook our chicken and chicken products well before eating.

Whiles the ban on importation of live birds and all poultry products is officially lifted, our security agencies especially along the country’s borders, should continue to be vigilant and ensure that live birds or poultry products do not enter the country.