Ho, June 29, GNA - Dr. Ben Aniwah, Volta Regional Manager of Veterinary Services on Thursday re-stated that the country's poultry and poultry products in the Ghanaian market were free from the Avian Influenza Virus (Bird Flu) and therefore safe for human consumption. He observed that many birds with strange symptoms of poultry diseases taken for laboratory test were only detected of Newcastle disease commonly with local birds.

Dr. Aniwah, who was speaking at a day's sensitisation workshop organized by the Ghana Agro Food Company Limited (GAFCO) for poultry farmers in the Volta Region on Bird Flu said besides, there was no indication that Bird Flu could be spread to humans through the consumption of poultry and eggs.

Dr. Aniwah said at the moment it was very safe for one to handle raw poultry with the practice of general food and safety precautions by keeping cooked food and raw food separately to avoid cross contamination, which could cause food poisoning. "Moreover, there is no danger of acquiring Bird Flu from properly cooked poultry products because the heat of normal cooking destroys the virus", the Doctor said.

He said consumers only have to cook poultry meat thoroughly between 70 and above degrees to kill any germs present in the meat. Dr Aniwah however called on farmers and the general public to report any symptoms of Newcastle disease to the nearest veterinary office or animal health care centre because the fight was still on. Mr. Kubler Claus, General Manager, AGRO, in a welcome address urged the farmers to be ambassadors and send the message to other folks who could not come.

Mr. David Kutsoati, Volta and Eastern Regional Mnager, GAFCO, said the workshop was to upgrade the knowledge of farmers on good hygiene and issues about Bird Flu.