Apam (C/R), March 17, GNA - A 15-member task force has been inaugurated at Apam to map out strategies for the prevention and control of the dreadful Avian Flu.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Francis Kwaku Nutakor, District Director of Agriculture, said the task force was to co-ordinate activities relating to public education on the disease. Mr Nutakor said as part of the strategy, a technical team has been formed to go round the district to educate the people, especially poultry farmers, on symptoms of the disease and how to control them. He said arrangements had been completed with the Ministry of health to provide volunteers from the disease surveillance unit to assist in the education campaign.

Mr Nutakor said staff of the Agriculture Directorate would also be deployed to join the campaign, which would be extended to schools and churches with the active involvement of local FM stations. Mr Fred Addae, District Co-ordinating Director, who inaugurated the task force, tasked members of the education team to work with dedication.

"We should not wait for the disease to catch up with us before we hurriedly put our house in order", he said. 17 March 06