Bird Flu Hits Tema

Veterinary officials in Tema have detected Avian Influenza (A-H5N1) – a highly pathogenic zoonotic avian influenza strain popular referred to as bird flu.

The Metropolitan Veterinary Services in collaboration with the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) led by Yohane Amarh Ashitey, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tema, Tuesday led an Emergency Health Response Team to nip in the bud, an emerging threat of Avian Flu infection on the poultry farm.

The veterinary team have since destroyed all the infected birds and fumigated the farm and its environs.

However, fear are that some of the infected birds might find their way into the market and consumed by unsuspecting members of the public during the festive period.

Last year, a total of 6,046 poultry birds died as a result of Avian Influenza in the Tema West Municipality.

Out of the total stock of 10,576 birds in eight affected farms, some 6,046 of the birds died and 4,530 were destroyed.

The cases were first detected in Lashibi and Klagon on July 8, 2021 where some 1,290 died, and 300 were destroyed at Klagon.

Also, in Sakumono, 60 birds died while at the Klagon Water Works, where 650 birds were in stock, had 40 of them dying and 610 of them destroyed as at July 29, 2021.

At the Lashibi DRC Swimming Pool, 606 birds died and 29 of them were destroyed besides the infection at the Livestock Farm, where the highest deaths of 3,539 birds were recorded, 3,461 of them were destroyed to prevent further spread of the disease.

Information available indicates that as at August 4, 2021, the Sakumono Community 16 had recorded 190 deaths and 10 of such birds had been destroyed, while in Tema Community 19 – Lashibi had recorded 320 deaths with 120 of them also destroyed.

Dr. Emmanuel Pecku, Tema Metropolitan Director of Vertinary Service said upon laboratory investigation, it was confirmed that the affected farms were infected with Avian Influenza (A-H5N1), a zoonotic avian influenza strain that is highly pathogenic.

He said the possible common source of the infection had been traced to a feed mill around Ashaiman Timber Market, adding that, it came at a time when there was an upsurge in Influenza-like illness in the Municipality.

He advised owners of farms to use the services of Veterinarians and Environmental Health Personnel to assist them in destroying and burying birds properly to prevent the spread of the flu.