301 pigs die from swine flu in three Ashanti Districts

A total of 301 pigs in three Ashanti districts – Bosomtwe, Ahafo-Ano North and Atwima-Kwanwoma, have died from swine flu.

Dr. Emmanuel Edward Effah, the Regional Director of the Veterinary Services, confirmed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) and said the first case was seen in March.

He, however, gave the assurance that the situation was under control and that there should be no reason for anxiety.

There is no vaccine or treatment for the highly contagious and infectious virus disease.

He said what “we do is to depopulate or stamp out all the animals in the affected farms, fumigate and restock”.

He spoke of stepped up education- to help the farmers to do the right things – biosecurity and prevent visitors from their farms because of the contagious nature of the disease.

Dr. Effah encouraged farmers to seek support from the veterinary services to contain the spread and avoid relying on quacks.

Symptoms of the disease include bleeding from the eyes, stomach and other parts of the body of the pig, refusal to eat, seen packed in groups and body shaking.

Last year, 5,620 pigs died of the flu between July and November, in three districts of the region – Atwima-Kwanwoma, Atwima-Nwabiagya and Bosomtwe.