The veterinary service in the northern region have begun sensitization of key stakeholders on measures to curtail the outbreak of bird fluid in the region.
The service said even though the region has not been hit by the bird flu in the five regions of the north, it is necessary to take precautionary measures to prevent poultry in the region from contracting the virus.
The service as part their public sensitization have started engaging eggs seller association, commercial poultry farmers and some vet technical officers from the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to create their awareness about the signs and symptoms of bird fluid.
Five regions in the country have so far recorded cases of bird fluid. Speaking to Zaa News at Ministry of Food and Agriculture office in Tamale after a day’s sensitization, Regional Vet Officer, Dr Evans Nsoh Ayamdooh allay fears among the poultry industry adding that the speed at which the various is spreading in the country need urgent attention, especially on biosafety security.
Dr Nsoh said surveillance need to be intensified and difficulty industry players may be confronted with should a farmer record a case.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in five regions namely Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta, Central and Western according to him can kill between 90-100% of birds within 48-72hrs.
’’Is easy to depopulate the birds and to quarantine and to disinfect but about 75% of the poultry is mainly rural chicken and so it happens to confined a whole a community and depopulate will be a herculean task’’, Dr Nsoh asserted.
The service, he added had got the theoretical knowledge but haven’t experience it practical and therefore doing everything possible to avoid the introduction and the spread of diseases so the farmers can draw the service’s attention instead consulting their colleague farmers.
The main source of poultry products the regional Vet officer disclosed comes from the three Bono regions-Ahafo, Bono and Bono East adding they have not been a single case those areas.
Dr Nsoh advised poultry owners and workers at the various poultry farms that to be on the look at of high mortality rate which is one the sings and symptoms of disease.
