Ghana bans poultry products from Burkina Faso

Ghana has banned the importation of poultry and poultry products from Burkina Faso due to the outbreak of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in that country since March.

A statement issued by Dr Ben Aniwa, Acting Director, Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture and copied to the Ghana News Agency on Wednesday, cautioned the public of the outbreak of the bird flu in a number of West African countries.

The statement said a standstill order and other necessary measure have been initiated in that country since April 1, whilst Veterinary Service Department officials had started intensive disease surveillance in the Upper East, Upper West, and Volta Regions.

The statement advised the public to quickly report any unusual deaths in domestic as well as wild birds to the nearest veterinary office.

It cautioned that dead birds should not be handled with bare hands and all poultry meats as well as eggs should be well cooked before consumption.

“Any internal movement of poultry and poultry products must undergo veterinary inspection and covered with movement permit,” it emphasised.