Tema, Feb. 28, GNA — Members of the Tema Poultry and Livestock Association, has expressed grave concern about the effect of misinformation on the Bird Flu on the poultry industry. They have however, called on the veterinary and health authorities to take active steps to allay fears of the public to save the industry from total collapse “due to the wrong impression that are being created through rumours and misinformation.”
“We hope that authorities will embark on a campaign to educate Ghanaians that the Avian Flu doesn’t constitute a bar to eating poultry products or eggs”, they said.
Their concerns were contained in a speech read by their Chairman, Mr Ellis Aferi on Tuesday at a workshop organized by the Association in collaboration with the Tema Farmers Union (TFU), on the prevention of outbreak of Pathogenic diseases in Livestock Farms. With sponsorship from Cleaning Solutions Limited, the workshop was aimed at sensitising the farmers on adopting high standard of sanitation within their farm.
The Municipal Chairman also called on the Government to institute measures to embark on massive spraying of Livestock farms to prevent Ghanaian livestock from contracting the disease. He also called for a total ban of importation of chicken products into the country as the best remedy to the situation whereas hotlines or contact numbers to veterinary officers and stations are provided so that whenever they detect any ill health in their birds they could contact them for immediate help.
Dr Andy Quarcoopome, a veterinary officer educated the participants on the history and spread of the disease, clinical signs as well as its prevention and control measures.
Mr Paul Ambenne, a Business Development Executive of the Cleaning Solutions Limited who gave a talk on Farm Hygiene Management said the use of appropriate chemicals to ensure good sanitation would help prevent the outbreak of diseases and increase productivity. He also advised them to adhere to bio-security measures to avoid the incidence of the spread of the Bird Flu disease in the country.
Source: GhanaWeb
