Workshop held to create more awareness on Avian flu.

Nsueam Kyekyewere (C/R) April 20, GNA- Dr. Augustus Nii Ayi Ayitey Central Regional veterinary officer, on Thursday repeated calls on the public, particularly those living around wetlands and forest reserves, to report any strange bird diseases to the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA).

He said was would help in the fight the Avian influenza in case it occurred in the country.


Dr Ayitey made the call during a day's sensitisation workshop on Avian Flu for among others, assembly members, representatives from the MoFA and NADMO and staff of the assembly's Environmental Services Department at Nsueam Kyekyewere in the Assin south district. The workshop was jointly organised by the MoFA and the district assembly to make the participants "combat-ready" as well as enhance awareness about the disease, which has already hit countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Niger, Burkina Faso and the Sudan.


He reiterated the seriousness of the disease, which, he said, was alarming and caused a lot of harm, because it did not only affect birds, but humans and pigs.


Dr. Ayitey, therefore urged all stakeholders to join in the awareness creation and be on the alert for wild and migratory birds, adding that more than 90 human deaths have been recorded within three years.

He cautioned against the notion that the disease "was far from the country", stressing the need for precautionary measures and urged MoFA staff to, as a matter of urgency, take a census of all birds in their various districts, to help make payment of compensation easy, in case the disease broke out in the country.


Dr Ayitey, similarly urged poultry farmers to create bio securities on their farms, to prevent other birds from getting into contact with their poultry, and also endeavour to keep their farms clean. He announced that a monitoring team would soon visit the communities, churches, schools and market places to educate the public and called for the participants' cooperation and support.


Mrs Millicent Alice Kuranchie, District Chief Executive, commended MoFA for organizing the workshop, stressing that it would help intensify awareness and urged the participants to share what they have learnt with people in their communities.


She however, urged the public not to panic and to still patronize the consumption of local poultry so as not to collapse the poultry industry. Mr Philip Awuah, district agricultural officer, was happy that the disease had not yet been detected in the country and urged the participants to take advantage of the situation to be combat-ready. He also urged assembly members to help the district taskforce to intensify its public education on the disease. 20 April 06