Ghana: bird flu outbreak, 25,970 birds killed

(AGI) - Accra, Aug 1 - Ghana is tackling the spread of an outbreak of Bird Flu with mass killing of affected birds. The country's Ministry of Food and Agriculture has revealed that a total of 25,970 birds have been destroyed and 9,864 birds died naturally from the bird flu outbreak from January to July, this year. Dr. Hannah Bissiw, Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), said a total of 36 outbreak sites were recorded in 2015, with 76,326 birds destroyed in outbreaks to contain the spread of the disease and 26,434 birds dying naturally from the disease. Dr. Bissiw disclosed this in a speech read on her behalf in Accra at a media advocacy workshop on the bird flu outbreak in Ghana. It was organised by the National Disaster Management Organization (NADMO) in collaboration with the Veterinary Service Directorate, MoFA, to deepen the engagement of the media in reporting accurately about the bird flu disease. The bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious viral disease of birds. Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans, however, some such as the A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), have caused serious infections in people. Majority of human cases of A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) infection have been associated with direct contact with infected live or dead poultry. She, however, added that Ghana was not the only country reporting outbreak of the disease in West Africa, stating that the most recent outbreak in the sub-region were in Cameroon and Nigeria. "Once, outbreaks are recorded in countries in the sub-region, our country remains constantly at risk of infection of the bird flu. "Therefore, as a country, we need to work together to stop the introduction and spread of the disease. This is where you as media personnel play a key role to carry the message to the public in the country," she said. Dr. Bissiw urged the media to report accurately the information they receive from the veterinary authorities. "Report in order to educate the public on the disease. Assist in stopping the spread of the disease through your reporting," she said. (AGI) .