Koforidua, May 19, GNA - The Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO), on Tuesday launched a Regional Public Education Campaign on the swine flu in Koforidua. They said so far no evidence had been established that the disease could be spread through the eating of pork but research rather indicated that virus of the Influenza A H1N1 could be spread through even handshake.

Currently the World Health Organization (WHO) report indicated that 8,400 cases had been reported throughout the world with 72 deaths but no case has been confirmed in Africa yet.

Dr George Bonsu, Eastern Regional Deputy Director of Public Health, said although 25 suspected cases were reported in some African countries, laboratory tests had proved them negative. He said the name of the disease was initially called swine flu because preliminary test conducted revealed similar genes in the disease and pigs and that led to the banning of pork importation for further tests to be carried out. Dr George Bonsu said as at now no evidence had been established that the eating of pork was the source hence the change of name from swine flu to Influenza A H1N1 and the lifting of ban on the importation of pork. The Regional Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Osafo Duah, said no animal involvement had been established and urged the public to eat pork but cook it well to avoid any health related problems. Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Eastern Regional Minister, expressed worry about the decline in pork patronage in the market lately, which he said was affecting farmers adversely.

He said the perception that pork was the source of the disease needed a concerted effort campaign to erode and appealed to the Information Service Department and the Ghana Education Service to team up and conduct an effective campaign.

The regional minister said the response of developed countries was amazing and since Ghana cannot respond in the same manner due to logistical constraints it was important that measures such as education campaign were put in place.