Tarkwa (W/R) June 3 -GNA- The Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture says, it has not detected any sign of Bird Flu in the Wassa West District of the Western Region. Dr. Christopher Tagoe, Wassa West District Veterinary Officer, who was reacting to speculation that, a number of chickens were dying at Aboso as a result of bird flu said, his outfit did not have any such information.

Bird flu also known as Avian Influenza is a disease caused by the flu virus in birds.

It affects all types of birds such as chicken, ducks, turkeys and guinea fowls.

The flu virus infects wild birds which fly from country to country, spreading the disease to domestic birds. Last year, the flu affected a number of chic kens in countries like Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Egypt and Burkina Faso. The dangerous disease surfaced in the country when Tema recorded the first bird flu case early last month leading to the destruction of over 60,000 chickens and eggs. Another case of bird flu was recorded in the Brong Ahafo capital, Sunyani.

Dr. Tagoe, however said, a few months ago, the Veterinary Services Department realized that, vultures were dying at Tarkwa particularly around the Ghana Prisons Service area. He explained that, when tests were carried out, it was discovered to be Newcastle disease which was similar to the Avian Influenza. Dr. Tagoe said, the Veterinary Service Department was doing everything possible to stem the spread of the disease. He said the avian influenza can affect human beings also, adding, his outfit was educating the people and appealed to the public to report any sign of the disease to the veterinary officer for immediate action to be taken.