Bird flu scare in Sunyani proves positive

Sunyani, May 23, GNA - The result of sampled birds sent to Accra for testing in a suspected case of the Avian Influenza disease at New-Dormaa, a suburb of Sunyani, has proved positive. Mr Asante Krobea, the Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, told the GNA that the 170 birds found infected with the disease at the farm and their products as well as the equipment used had been destroyed.

He urged poultry farmers and the general public to remain calm and abide by the precautions given by the ministry to prevent the spread of the disease to other farms.

He said all movements of birds, eggs and other poultry products from the region to other places or from other places to the region had been ceased forthwith.

Mr Asante Krobea said the regional surveillance team was on the field to encourage poultry farmers to continue with their work. "The regional preparedness team meets almost every day on the issue to come out with possible measures to check further out breaks". He appealed to poultry farmers to report the death of any birds promptly to the nearest veterinary office for examination and possibly their destruction to ensure public safety.

The regional director gave assurance that the ministry was preparing to pay compensation to affected farmers and advised poultry farmers to stop visiting colleague farms because they could transfer the disease from their farms to others or might also carry the virus from colleague farms to theirs.

Mr. Asante Krobea appealed to the public to cooperate with the security agencies in checking vehicles to ensure that there was no movement of eggs or birds in the region and urged the public to report vehicles found transporting any poultry products to the police. "Birds and eggs in the region are still safe for consumption", he said.