A total of 18, 000 birds in two poultry farms in the Ashanti Region of Ghana are to be destroyed to prevent the spread of Avian influenza in and around nearby farms.
The Ashanti Region recorded cases of bird flu in the two major poultry farms shortly after the Christmas celebrations.
Some 10,000 birds were quarantined awaiting depopulation at Benjay Farms at Kotei-Deduako in the Oforikrom Municipality, while Akiyesi Farms at Kufuor Camp in the Atwima Mponua District also had 8, 000.
So far, 24 poultry farms have been infected by the bird flu since the outbreak was first reported in Kumasi in June 2021.
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The Ashanti Regional Director of the Veterinary Services, Dr Marlon Mensah told GBC News’ in Kumasi that the two farms have been quarantined, while officials from the District Assembly and Veterinary services have been mobilised to cull the birds.
The Director suspects the farms might have been infested by some Ivorian businessmen who came to the affected farms to purchase birds during the Christmas festivities.
He also blamed the lack of strict observance of biosecurity by farmers as a major cause of the outbreak.
The Veterinary Director said his office has just completed arrangements to get certificates for the affected 22 farms that have already applied for compensation to be paid to them by the government.
He repeated his call to the farm owners to strictly observe all the safety protocols as the only remedy to save their investments.