New Edubiase(Ash), May 31, GNA - Nana Kwaku Asamoah, Presiding Member of Adansi South District Assembly, has appealed to members of District Preparedness Committee on Avian Influenza (bird flu) to intensify their education to reduce panic among the public on the disease.

He said even though the disease had not been detected in the country, most people had stopped consuming poultry products resulting in a near collapse of the poultry industry in the country. Nana Asamoah made the call at the inauguration of Adansi South District Preparedness Committee on Avian Influenza at New Edubiase on Tuesday.

Mr Francis Dorpenyoh, Adansi South District Chief Executive is the Chairman of the seven-member committee. Other members are Mr Kwame Owusu-Buaben, NADMO Co-ordinator, and Secretary to the committee, Mr Geofrey Kporfeame, District Director of Agriculture and Mr Thomas Yeboah, District Veterinary Officer. The rest are Mr P.K. Mensah District School Health Co-ordinator, Mr Lawrence Adinku, Assistant District Disease Control officer and Mr William Ekutse, district NCCE Director.

Mr Dorpenyoh, said it was necessary to establish the committee to prepare to combat an outbreak of the disease in the district. He advised poultry farmers in the district to report strange deaths of birds on their farms to the committee or veterinary office for immediate action. 31 May 06