Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Snowy Owl · May 10, 2007

Bird flu: Ghana on high alert
http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/health/200705/4389.asp

Officials of the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture say they are on high alert following the spread of the bird flu to two other farms in the Tema metropolis.

The department has intensified its monitoring across the country after the virus was discovered on the two farms at Adjei Kojo, near Ashaiman.

The first case of the virus was recorded in the country last week on a farm in Tema where a total of 1,678 birds were culled. Joy News has learnt compensation will be paid on Thursday.

Another 13,000 birds have been destroyed over the last three days alone after the discovery of the virus on the two other farms. Over 90 poultry farms have so far been tested in the Tema area.

The Director of the Veterinary Services Department, Dr. Mensah Agyen-Frimpong, says the latest discovery puts the entire Tema Township at a high risk.

He told Joy News that the Department was carefully monitoring the situation and will start a nationwide vaccination of birds if the spread of the virus gets out of hand.

HenryN · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Third bird flu outbreak recorded

The Tema Municipality within one week has recorded the third outbreak of avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, at a poultry farm at Adjei Kojo, near Ashaiman.

The disease that killed a number of birds, might have spread from a near by poultry farm, which had about 12,000 birds, 323 crates of eggs, and 375 kilogrammes of feed that was destroyed.

Dr. Darlington Owusu, Head of the Avian Influenza Surveillance team, who disclosed these to journalists in Tema on Tuesday, said several crates of eggs were destroyed and about 500 birds burnt and buried at Adjei Kojo.

He gave the assurance that the team would work hard to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the country.

Dr. Owusu advised poultry farmers to ensure that they fed their birds with uncontaminated feed and to cooperate with the team in efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.

He advised Ghanaians against eating dead birds and urged consumers to cook poultry products for a long period in order to destroy any possible virus.

Dr. Owusu also advised that strange death among birds should be reported to the Veterinary Services Department.

He said the Government was paying compensation of between 50 to 90 per cent of the market value of birds, eggs and other items destroyed upon detection of the disease, to affected poultry farmers.

Source: GNA

Story from Myjoyonline.Com News:
http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/news/200705/4364.asp

HenryN · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Commentary at

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05100702/H5N1_Ghana_Spread.html

HenryN · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Bird flu task force arrests four

http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/health/200705/4437.asp

Four persons have been arrested for violating a ban on the trade and movement of birds in the Tema metropolis.

The ban was imposed last week when the first case of bird flu was detected.

According to the Deputy Director of Veterinary Services in charge of Greater Accra, Dr. Francis Peterson, who led the police to effect the arrests, the four persons including two women had dressed some birds for sale much against the prohibition order.

He said the task force in collaboration with the police has embarked on an exercise to search vehicles to and from Tema to ensure that the disease is contained in the areas identified so far.

The task force said some farmers are believed to be hiding some of their birds in a bid to prevent their destruction.

Dr. Peterson warned that those arrested for engaging in such acts will have their products confiscated and no compensation paid to them.

Treyfish · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

<TABLE id=Table12 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=7></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE id=Table13 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>

TEMA RECORDS 3RD OUTBREAK OF BIRD FLU

| Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2007

<TABLE cellPadding=1 width=100 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle>

</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD align=middle></SPAN></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>THE TEMA Municipality within one week has recorded the third outbreak of avian influenza, otherwise known as bird flu, at a poultry farm at Adjei Kojo, near Ashaiman.
The disease that killed a number of birds might have spread from a nearby poultry farm, which had about 12,000 birds, 323 crates of eggs, and 375 kilogrammes of feed that was destroyed.
Dr. Darlington Owusu, Head of the Avian Influenza Surveillance team, who disclosed these to Journalists in Tema on Tuesday, said several crates of eggs were destroyed and about 500 birds burnt and buried at Adjei Kojo.
He gave the assurance that the team would work hard to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the country.
Dr. Owusu advised poultry farmers to ensure that they fed their birds with uncontaminated feed and to cooperate with the team in efforts aimed at preventing the spread of the disease.
He advised Ghanaians against eating dead birds and urged consumers to cook poultry products for a long period in order to destroy any possible virus.
Dr. Owusu also advised that strange death among birds should be reported to the Veterinary Services Department.
He said the Government was paying compensation of between 50 to 90 per cent of the market value of birds, eggs and other items destroyed upon detection of the disease, to affected poultry farmers.
Meanwhile, the Veterinary Services Department of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has
?The Veterinary Services has an Avian Influenza Diagnostic Laboratory, which was refurbished in April 2006 by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), which has an advanced facility - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) - to detect genre of the virus,? Dr Enoch Boye-Mensah Koney, Director of Veterinary Services told the Ghana News Agency in Accra.
He was refuting claims by the Tema Municipal Poultry and Livestock Farmers Association and Farmers? Union, who have doubted the authenticity of the reported outbreak of the H5NI Bird flu Dr. Koney explained that the specimen that was collected from the farm in Tema was first sent to the Accra Veterinary Services Laboratory, then to Noguchi and U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt for confirmation.
?Samples have further been taken to the International Animal Health Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory at Padova, Italy, to determine the sequencing or the type of strain of the virus,? he said.
?The report will help us to trace the source and know whether the type we have detected in Ghana here is the Nigerian type, South Asian or any other type.? :magnify:
He assured poultry and livestock farmers in the Municipality to believe that there was an outbreak of the bird flu virus and advised them to ensure bio-security by maintaining higher standards of hygiene and also put in protective measures against wild birds and other ruminants.
?Currently, our officers are on the field specifically at the place in question, which is 200 metres from Michel Camp destroying all farms, first of all, within three-kilometre radius, then extending it to five kilometre radius and then eight kilometres radius. This is to ensure safety of the people.? Dr. Koney asked the public not to panic, since the Service had deployed task officers working to prevent further outbreak of the virus. Mr. Ernest Debrah, Minister of the MOFA on May 2 announced at a press conference in Accra that the bird flu virus had been detected on a small-scale farm in Tema but no humans had been affected. - GNA :tiphat: http://www.ghanaian-chronicle.com/thestory.asp?id=1725

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HenryN · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

treyfish said:
<TABLE id=Table12 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=7></TD><TD vAlign=top><TABLE id=Table13 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>

TEMA RECORDS 3RD OUTBREAK OF BIRD FLU

| Posted: Thursday, May 10, 2007

He was refuting claims by the Tema Municipal Poultry and Livestock Farmers Association and Farmers? Union, who have doubted the authenticity of the reported outbreak of the H5NI Bird flu Dr. Koney explained that the specimen that was collected from the farm in Tema was first sent to the Accra Veterinary Services Laboratory, then to Noguchi and U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3, Cairo, Egypt for confirmation.
?Samples have further been taken to the International Animal Health Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory at Padova, Italy, to determine the sequencing or the type of strain of the virus,? he said.
?The report will help us to trace the source and know whether the type we have detected in Ghana here is the Nigerian type, South Asian or any other type.? :magnify:
- GNA :tiphat: http://www.ghanaian-chronicle.com/thestory.asp?id=1725

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HA and NA sequences from three isolates have already been generated by NAMRU-3. They are all Qinghai H5N1 and most closley related to December Ivory Coast isolates, but probably are from newly introduced infections due to migratory birds.

Treyfish · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Thanks, Dr. N! Hhere is some more news..
<CENTER>Ministry takes steps to control spread of bird flu

</CENTER><SCRIPT type=text/javascript></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT></SPAN></B>Sunyani, May 10, GNA - Mr. Asante Krobea, the Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, has advised the public not to panic about the outbreak of the avian influenza in the country. He said the disease was discovered in the Tema Municipality alone and no other place in the country and that the situation has so far been brought under control.

He told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the ministry has since been on the alert and has put in place adequate measures to curb it.

Mr Krobea said surveillance and education of farmers as well as the general public on signs and symptoms of the disease has been intensified.

An emergency preparedness team has been set up to visit poultry farms daily to interact with farmers and encourage them to continue with their work without fears, he said.

On restriction of transporting birds from one place to another, the Director said there had not been any order to that effect because such orders could create more fears among the public and would affect the poultry industry in the region.

He said security measures have been taken to enforce the ban on poultry products entering the region from the boarder town of Cote d'Ivoire to ensure that no contaminated bird or egg got into the region. 10 May 07s:tiphat: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=123839

Treyfish · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

<CENTER>Migratory birds not responsible for bird flu

</CENTER><SCRIPT type=text/javascript></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>Accra, May 10, GNA - Dr Erasmus Owusu, Acting Executive Director, Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) on Thursday refuted allegations that birds that migrated to the shores of Ghana during winter in Europe were responsible for the outbreak of bird flu in Ghana.

He said although there had been evidence around the world that wild birds were responsible for the outbreak of the virus in some European countries, this had not been the case with Ghana.

"We have been collaborating with the Veterinary Services, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and the other research agencies to find out if any of the birds that migrated to Ghana had any of the bird flu strain, but have till date not found any," he told journalists at a press conference in Accra.

The press conference was to draw attention to World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), a global event, scheduled to take place on May 12 under the theme: "Migratory Bird in a Changing Climate".

The day is a global initiative devoted to celebrating the beauty of migrating birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide. The day would be marked in Ghana by bird watching at the Ramsar sites across the Greater Accra Region, by patrons of the GWS, Club members, tourists and people from all walks of life and the screening of a film "An Inconvenient Truth" at the GWS.

Mr Owusu said the GWS had since last year been taking and monitoring blood sample of the migratory birds that visited the country, especially within the wetlands to ensure that they did not have any strain of the bird flu and so far all the reports had proved negative. "Where the bird flu was first detected in Ghana was no where near the Ramsar site where the birds are found," he said, adding, "surveillance is still being carried out and the samples were being sent to countries in Europe to ensure that the migratory birds were not the vectors for the transmission of the bird flu.

Mr Owusu said the need to mark the WMBD in Ghana was very essential so as to draw attention on the need to conserve the birds so that they did not become extinct as was becoming the case. He cited the Roseatte Terns as a case of near extinction, which was halted through conservation efforts instituted by the GWS and Bird Life International both NGOs.

The Roseatte Terns are migratory birds identified to have flown from the United Kingdom to Ghana during wintertime, but diminished in numbers when they went back after the season, especially due to trapping and capture by some Ghanaians. "The goal of WMBD 2007 is to try to focus attention on the plight of migratory birds and to highlight the way they are being affected by climate change in the same way as all living things.

"Climate change has severe consequences for these nomads of the skies: it causes the loss of essential bird habitats, changes migration patterns and increases the competitions for food between migrating birds and residents," he said.

Dr Chiambeng Paulinus Ngeh of the Birdlife International, West African sub-Regional Office based in Nigeria, praised Ghanaians for not showing any panic during the announcement of the bird flu outbreak. This, he noted, was a clear indication of how well the education had been taken by the populace.

He urged Ghanaians to take the issues of conservation more seriously, especially in relation to migratory birds since such birds could offer extraordinary opportunity for international collaboration. Dr Ngeh said factors responsible for declines in migratory birds were often not clear, but named land use change owing to, agriculture, deforestation and desertification as some of the single main threat affecting 60 per cent of all threatened and near threatened species. 10 /MAY/07:tiphat: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=123825

HenryN · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

treyfish said:
<CENTER>Migratory birds not responsible for bird flu

</CENTER><SCRIPT type=text/javascript></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT>Accra, May 10, GNA - Dr Erasmus Owusu, Acting Executive Director, Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS) on Thursday refuted allegations that birds that migrated to the shores of Ghana during winter in Europe were responsible for the outbreak of bird flu in Ghana.

He said although there had been evidence around the world that wild birds were responsible for the outbreak of the virus in some European countries, this had not been the case with Ghana.

"We have been collaborating with the Veterinary Services, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and the other research agencies to find out if any of the birds that migrated to Ghana had any of the bird flu strain, but have till date not found any," he told journalists at a press conference in Accra.

The press conference was to draw attention to World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), a global event, scheduled to take place on May 12 under the theme: "Migratory Bird in a Changing Climate".

The day is a global initiative devoted to celebrating the beauty of migrating birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide. The day would be marked in Ghana by bird watching at the Ramsar sites across the Greater Accra Region, by patrons of the GWS, Club members, tourists and people from all walks of life and the screening of a film "An Inconvenient Truth" at the GWS.

Mr Owusu said the GWS had since last year been taking and monitoring blood sample of the migratory birds that visited the country, especially within the wetlands to ensure that they did not have any strain of the bird flu and so far all the reports had proved negative. "Where the bird flu was first detected in Ghana was no where near the Ramsar site where the birds are found," he said, adding, "surveillance is still being carried out and the samples were being sent to countries in Europe to ensure that the migratory birds were not the vectors for the transmission of the bird flu.

Mr Owusu said the need to mark the WMBD in Ghana was very essential so as to draw attention on the need to conserve the birds so that they did not become extinct as was becoming the case. He cited the Roseatte Terns as a case of near extinction, which was halted through conservation efforts instituted by the GWS and Bird Life International both NGOs.

The Roseatte Terns are migratory birds identified to have flown from the United Kingdom to Ghana during wintertime, but diminished in numbers when they went back after the season, especially due to trapping and capture by some Ghanaians. "The goal of WMBD 2007 is to try to focus attention on the plight of migratory birds and to highlight the way they are being affected by climate change in the same way as all living things.

"Climate change has severe consequences for these nomads of the skies: it causes the loss of essential bird habitats, changes migration patterns and increases the competitions for food between migrating birds and residents," he said.

Dr Chiambeng Paulinus Ngeh of the Birdlife International, West African sub-Regional Office based in Nigeria, praised Ghanaians for not showing any panic during the announcement of the bird flu outbreak. This, he noted, was a clear indication of how well the education had been taken by the populace.

He urged Ghanaians to take the issues of conservation more seriously, especially in relation to migratory birds since such birds could offer extraordinary opportunity for international collaboration. Dr Ngeh said factors responsible for declines in migratory birds were often not clear, but named land use change owing to, agriculture, deforestation and desertification as some of the single main threat affecting 60 per cent of all threatened and near threatened species. 10 /MAY/07:tiphat: http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=123825

ALL live wild birds in western Africa have been negative for H5N1 (as was true for Europe).

Treyfish · May 10, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Togo bans Ghana chickens
afrol News, 11 May - Ghana?s chicken exportation has been hampered by the discovery of H5N1 bird flu in one of the poultry farms in the country last month. Officials in Ghana?s neighbouring country, Togo have banned importation of chicken products from Ghana.
Togolese officials said the ban will be in force until further notice.

Ghanaian authorities are alarmed by the growing pace of the avian flu?s pace in the country, especially Tema Municipality where three outbreaks were recorded within a week.

Most Ghanaians fear that the virus might spread to large poultry farms in Tema Municipality, leading to scarcity of poultry products. The head of Ghana?s avian flu surveillance team, Darlington Owusu, confirmed the destruction of thousands of crates of eggs. He also said at least 500 birds have been burnt and buried.

Togolese authorities launched a national bird flu plan in February last year. The plan involved a national alert system, border controls and the training of medical staff.

The West African country aims to eradicate bird flu but fear that importation of Ghanaian poultry product will derail their efforts.

Ghana has also taken frantic efforts to prevent the disease from spreading its tentacles all over the country. Consequently, Dr Owusu advised farmers to feed their birds with uncontaminated feed and cooperate with the team at all times.

Dr Owusu called on people to desist from eating dead birds and also cook poultry products for several hours so that they can destroy any possible virus. He urged people to report the death of strange birds to veterinary services department.

Ghana government has been compensating between 50 and 90 percent of the market value of the destroyed poultry products to the affected farmers since the outbreak began.

Veterinary experts said there is cause for fear, for they have got avian flu detection devices.

Samples of the death birds have been sent to the International Animal Health Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory at Padova in Italy where experts are expected to classify the type of strain of the virus. This will help Ghanaians to know not only the source of the virus but also its connection with the South Asian or Nigerian type.:tiphat: http://www.afrol.com/articles/25384

Treyfish · May 12, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

<CENTER>Volta Region steps up surveillance on bird flu-

</CENTER>

<SCRIPT type=text/javascript></SCRIPT><SCRIPT src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js" type=text/javascript></SCRIPT></B>Ho, May 12, GNA- Dr Ben Aniwa, Volta Regional Veterinary Officer said on Friday that regional, district and local committees in the region have increased their surveillance for the signs of the Avian Influenza (bird flu)

Dr Aniwa was speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA in an interview on his outfit's preparedness in the light of the detection of the disease in the Tema area, which is quite close to the Volta Region. He said, apart from awareness among poultry farmers being sharpened; presently workers of the Ministry of Food And Agriculture (MOFA) were out sensitizing school pupils to report dead birds found for verification.

Dr Aniwa said poultry farmers have been educated on the symptoms of the disease and was hopeful that they would report any diseased bird to his outfit.

He said consumer concerns with regard to the treatment of chicken before consumption was also being taken care of.:tiphat:
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=123948
<TABLE width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>GNA</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Gert van der Hoek · May 14, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Bird flu: We are not responsible - Newport

Posted on: 14-May-2007

The Chief Executive of Newport Industries Limited, Mr. Ben Tetteh has dismissed reports linking his company to the outbreak of bird flu in the country.

Newport Industries Limited produces animal feed. It operates a feed manufacturing plant in Tema.

Mr Tetteh told Joy News that since the discovery of Ghana?s first bird flu case some two weeks ago, he has been subjected to all forms of harassment and intimidation.

He attributed the source of the report to his competitors whom he said are seeking to run down his business.

Mr. Tetteh has described the allegations as baseless only calculated to destroy his business.

He said soon after the announcement of outbreak of bird flu in Tema about 10 journalists visited the company?s drying floor without any prior notice to management to film as well as do write-ups on the place.

?But on television every now and then they show our site with another site that my company in particular would not use that type of site for processing fish,? he told Joy News.

http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/news/200705/4561.asp

HenryN · May 17, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=5353

Information received on 12/05/2007 from Mr Mensah Agyen-Frempong, , Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Director, Veterinary Services Department, ACCRA, Ghana
Summary
<TABLE class=rep_table cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 cellmargin="0"><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Report type</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Follow-up report No. 1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Start date</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>14/04/2007</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Date of confirmation of event</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>28/04/2007</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Report date</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>12/05/2007</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Date submitted to OIE</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>14/05/2007</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Reason for notification</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>First occurrence of a listed disease</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Manifestation of disease</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Clinical disease</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Causal agent</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus type A</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Serotype</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>H5N1</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Nature of diagnosis</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Suspicion, Clinical, Laboratory (basic), Necropsy</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Report pertains to</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Entire country</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Related reports</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>

<LI class=rep_list>Immediate notification (03/05/2007)
Follow-up report No. 1 (12/05/2007)

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

New outbreaks <TABLE class=rep_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_item_ob width=200>Outbreak 1 </TD><TD class=rep_data_ob width=*>ROBERTS FARM, TEMA MUNICIPAL, GREATER ACCRA</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Date of start of outbreak</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>21/04/2007</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Outbreak status</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Continuing (or date resolved not submitted)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Epidemiological unit</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Farm</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Affected animals</TD><TD><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Susceptible</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Cases</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Deaths</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Destroyed</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Slaughtered</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>325</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>15</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>15</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>310</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Affected population</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>layers raised in an intensive system of production</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item_ob width=200>Outbreak 2 </TD><TD class=rep_data_ob width=*>COKER APPIAH'S FARM, TEMA MUNICIPAL, GREATER ACCRA</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Date of start of outbreak</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>02/05/2007</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Outbreak status</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Continuing (or date resolved not submitted)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Epidemiological unit</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Farm</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Affected animals</TD><TD><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Susceptible</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Cases</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Deaths</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Destroyed</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Slaughtered</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>405</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>55</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>55</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>350</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Affected population</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>layers raised in an intensive system of production</TD></TR></TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item_ob width=200>Summary of outbreaks</TD><TD class=rep_data_ob width=*>Total outbreaks: 2</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Total animals affected</TD><TD><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Susceptible</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Cases</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Deaths</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Destroyed</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="16%">Slaughtered</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>730</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>70</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>70</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>660</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Outbreak statistics</TD><TD class=rep_data><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Apparent morbidity rate</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Apparent mortality rate</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Apparent case fatality rate</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="20%">Proportion susceptible removed* </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>9.59%</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>9.59%</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>100.00%</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>100.00%</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>* Removed from the susceptible population either through death, destruction or slaughter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Epidemiology <TABLE class=rep_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Source of infection</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>

Unknown or inconclusive

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Control measures <TABLE class=rep_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Measures already applied</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>

<LI class=rep_list>Movement control inside the country <LI class=rep_list>Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s) <LI class=rep_list>Quarantine <LI class=rep_list>Stamping out <LI class=rep_list>Vaccination permitted
No treatment of affected animals

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Measures to be applied</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>

None specified

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Diagnostic test results <TABLE class=rep_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Laboratory name and type</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Accra veterinary laboratory (National laboratory)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Tests and results</TD><TD><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="35%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="40%">Test</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="15%">Test date</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="10%">Result</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>haemagglutination (HA) test</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>28/04/2007</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>Positive</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>haemagglutination inhibition test (HIT)</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>28/04/2007</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>Positive</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Laboratory name and type</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Accra Veterinary Laboratory (National laboratory)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Tests and results</TD><TD><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="35%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="40%">Test</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="15%">Test date</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="10%">Result</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>rapid tests</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>25/04/2007</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>Positive</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Laboratory name and type</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (National laboratory)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Tests and results</TD><TD><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="35%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="40%">Test</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="15%">Test date</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="10%">Result</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>reverse transcription ? polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>29/04/2007</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>Positive</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Laboratory name and type</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*>OIE, FAO and National Reference Laboratory for Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza, PADOVA, ITALY. (OIE?s Reference Laboratory)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Tests and results</TD><TD><TABLE class=rep_sub_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_sub_item width="35%">Species</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="40%">Test</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="15%">Test date</TD><TD class=rep_sub_item width="10%">Result</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=rep_sub_data>Birds</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>reverse transcription ? polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>09/05/2007</TD><TD class=rep_sub_data>Positive</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Map of outbreak locations <TABLE class=rep_table width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=rep_item width=200>Location of current outbreaks</TD><TD class=rep_data width=*><FORM name=mapform onsubmit="return validate_map_click(this)" action=public.php method=post target=map_window><INPUT class=framed_map type=image height=400 alt="Please wait while the map is generated for your request" width=400 src="http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/mapserver/temp/117941217877361.png" name=map .> <INPUT type=hidden value=public24ebc96674338f4745c9134d9128e0421179412180 name=map_file> <INPUT type=hidden value=country_map_interactive name=page> <INPUT type=hidden value="Location of current outbreaks" name=page_title> <INPUT type=hidden value=weekly_report_item name=page_refer> <INPUT type=hidden name=page_info> <INPUT type=hidden value=GHA name=public_country> <INPUT type=hidden value="-4.4599483847618, 4.5044963717461, 2.2912549734116, 11.255699729919" name=extent> <INPUT type=hidden value=2.2504011193911 name=exsize> <INPUT type=hidden value=0 name=pop> <INPUT type=hidden name=button_action> <INPUT type=hidden value="400 400" name=map_size> </FORM>Click on map to zoom in.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HenryN · May 17, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Ghana: Update
5/17/07 Ghana Media--According to a national source, the Veterinary Services Department stated that, although other sources were possible, WHO poultry farm testing in Tema found a strain of H5N1 that was close to strains found in Cote d?Ivoire, making it the ?sure source?? [of the Tema outbreak]. The source also stated addtional [unspecified] reports linked a Ghana poultry farm to unidentified Cote d?Ivoire poultry farms. No further details were provided.
AI Regional Reporting and Surveillance, Ghana

HenryN · May 17, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

niman said:
Ghana: Update
5/17/07 Ghana Media--According to a national source, the Veterinary Services Department stated that, although other sources were possible, WHO poultry farm testing in Tema found a strain of H5N1 that was close to strains found in Cote dâ€™Ivoire, making it the â€œsure sourceâ€ [of the Tema outbreak]. The source also stated addtional [unspecified] reports linked a Ghana poultry farm to unidentified Cote dâ€™Ivoire poultry farms. No further details were provided.
AI Regional Reporting and Surveillance, Ghana

Although the Ghana isoaltes are closley related to the Ivory Coast isoaltes from turkeys in December, 2006, the Ghana isolates have NA G743A, while the Ivory Coast isolates do not.

http://www.recombinomics.com/News/05090701/H5N1_Evolution_Egypt_Russia_Ghana.html

HenryN · May 19, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

<TABLE summary=""><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Archive Number</TD><TD noWrap align=left>20070519.1596</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Published Date</TD><TD noWrap align=left>19-MAY-2007</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=right>Subject</TD><TD noWrap align=left>PRO/AH> Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (24)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

AVIAN INFLUENZA, POULTRY VS MIGRATORY BIRDS (24)************************************************A ProMED-mail post<http://www.promedmail.org>ProMED-mail is a program of theInternational Society for Infectious Diseases<http://www.isid.org>In this update:[1] UK - tests could miss bird flu in migratory birds[2] Ghana - migratory birds not responsible for bird flu outbreak[3] Ghana - bird flu outbreak linked to smuggled birds from Nigeria******[1] UK - tests could miss bird flu in migratory birdsDate: Wed 16 May 2007Source: New Scientist (article preview) [edited]<http://www.newscientist.com/channel/opinion/mg19426044.200-uk-tests-could-miss-bird-flu-in-migratory-birds.html>Discrepancies between levels of flu recorded in British birds and those elsewhere in Europe have surfaced yet again, following publication of the biggest study so far of bird flu in Europe. The findings raise concerns about whether British tests would pick up H5N1 bird flu if migratory wild birds carried it into the country.Researchers in the Netherlands and Sweden analysed influenza A samples taken from 37 000 water birds in northern Europe over 8 years. They confirmed that dabbling ducks, especially mallards, are the main carriers of flu viruses, although other birds, including geese, are occasional carriers. On average 6 per cent of ducks are infected, falling to a few per cent in spring and peaking at up to 20 per cent or more in autumn (PLoS Pathogens, DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030061; ProMED-mail 20070511.1512).In contrast, UK measurements of flu incidence in ducks remain low. [The complete article is only available online to those with subscriptions. - Mod.MHJ][byline: Debora Mackenzie]-- communicated byProMED-mail rapporteur Mary Marshall[A fair comment. Deb Mackenzie has pointed out to me that mallards were a laboratory-confirmed infected species in this paper and that wild mallards can be commonly seen feeding alongside domestic backyard poultry. Therefore, if infected, they are at risk of transmitting HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) to poultry. - Mod.MHJ]******[2] Ghana - migratory birds not responsible for bird flu outbreakDate: Thu 10 May 2007Source: Business Ghana, Ghana News Agency report [edited]<http://www.businessghana.com/portal/news/index.php?op=getNews&id=63217>Dr Erasmus Owusu, acting executive director, Ghana Wildlife Society (GWS), has refuted allegations that birds that migrated to the shores of Ghana during winter in Europe were responsible for the outbreak of bird flu in Ghana. He said although there had been evidence around the world that wild birds were responsible for the outbreak of the virus in some European countries, this had not been the case with Ghana. "We have been collaborating with the Veterinary Services, the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, and the other research agencies to find out if any of the birds that migrated to Ghana had any of the bird flu strain, but have till date not found any," he told journalists at a press conference in Accra.The press conference was to draw attention to World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), a global event, scheduled to take place on 12 May 2007 under the theme: "Migratory Birds in a Changing Climate." The day is a global initiative devoted to celebrating the beauty of migrating birds and for promoting their conservation worldwide. The day would be marked in Ghana by bird watching at the Ramsar sites across the Greater Accra Region, by patrons of the GWS, Club members, tourists, and people from all walks of life, as well as the screening of the film "An Inconvenient Truth" at the GWS.Mr Owusu said the GWS had since last year [2006], been taking and monitoring blood sample of the migratory birds that visited the country, especially within the wetlands, to ensure that they did not have any strain of the bird flu. So far, all the reports had proved negative."Where the bird flu was 1st detected in Ghana was nowhere near the Ramsar site where the birds are found," he said, adding, "surveillance is still being carried out and the samples are being sent to countries in Europe to ensure that the migratory birds were not the vectors for the transmission of the bird flu."Mr Owusu said the need to mark the WMBD in Ghana was essential to draw attention to the need to conserve the birds so that they did not become extinct as was becoming the case. He cited the migratory 'Roseate tern' as a case of near extinction, which was halted through conservation efforts instituted by the GWS and Bird Life International both NGOs (non-governmental organizations).Dr Chiambeng Paulinus Ngeh of the Birdlife International, West African sub-Regional Office based in Nigeria, praised Ghanaians for not showing any panic during the announcement of the bird flu outbreak. This, he noted, was a clear indication of how well the education had been taken by the people. He urged Ghanaians to take the issues of conservation more seriously, especially in relation to migratory birds since such birds could offer extraordinary opportunities for international collaboration.-- communicated byProMED-mail rapporteur Joseph P Dudley, PhD******[3] Ghana - bird flu outbreak linked to smuggled birds from NigeriaDate: Fri 4 May 2007Source: Black Britain [edited]<http://www.blackbritain.co.uk/news/details.aspx?i=2438&c=africa&h=Suspected+bird+flu+case+in+Ghana+linked+to+smuggled+birds+from+Nigeria>[According to the Veterinary Services Department of Ghana's Ministry of Food and Agriculture, an investigation is underway in the port city of Tema over reports of an outbreak of bird flu. The department says even though initial checks in some outlets in the city suggest it might be bird flu, a more in-depth assessment will be needed to draw definite conclusions on the matter. According to ministry sources, a blood specimen is being prepared for analysis at the World Health Organization's (WHO) laboratories in Italy. [See ProMED-mail postings referenced below.]Some local observers are already blaming the situation on smuggled live birds from Nigeria. Though the government of Ghana banned the importation of poultry products from Nigeria since the 1st case was reported in Kano, they say the products have continued to be smuggled into the country's market. "If it is true that there is bird flu in Tema, you can be sure it came from Nigeria. We have one of the most porous borders in the world and I just hope it would not create a serious problem for us," Eric Dancquah, a businessman in the Kwame Nkrumah Circle area of Accra told Black Britain.However, Ghana's neighbour, Cote d'Ivoire, has also been identified as a likely source of the flu. Ghana's ban on the importation of poultry products also includes other African countries, including Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, and Niger, where outbreaks of avian influenza have been previously reported.The flu has the potential to devastate the livelihoods of many millions on small [poultry farms], along with the few larger scale poultry operations that country has. Agriculture and food production account for a larger share of the Ghanaian economy, so losses to poultry farmers could have a significant impact on the macro economy. A 4-day sensitisation forum was held last month [April 2007] in the Kintampo South District of the Brong Ahafo region of the country to sensitise 45 assembly members and heads of department on the issue of avian influenza. The forum, organized by the district's Agricultural Development Unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, was to [provide participants with information on surveillance and prevention of the disease.]Apart from the loss of income that bird flu brings, there is also a cost for governments -- and aid donors -- in trying to tackle it. The World Bank says the key to containing the economic cost of bird flu is rapid effective action.[byline: Godwin Nnanna]-- communicated byProMED-mail Rapporteur Joseph P Dudley, PhD[It should be noted that, as of 3 May 2007, the source of the now confirmed H5N1 outbreak near Tema, Ghana -- see ProMED-mail postings referenced below -- was unknown. Suspicions are one thing, hard facts are something else, whoever voices their suspicions. We await the results of serious investigations by the Ghanaian veterinary services and of the genetic analyses. - Mod.MHJA map of Ghana is available at <http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/map/profile/ghana.pdf>. Tema, the country's largest seaport, is east of the capital city of Accra. - CopyEd.MJ][see also:Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (23) 20070513.1531Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (22) 20070511.1512Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (21) 20070504.1453Avian influenza (78): Ghana (Accra), conf., OIE 20070503.1441Avian influenza (76): Ghana, conf. 20070502.1426Avian influenza (75): Ghana, suspected, RFI 20070501.1416Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (20) 20070427.1379Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (10) 20070131.0394Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (02) 20070103.0017Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds 20070102.0013]....................mhj/mj/sh</PRE>

HenryN · May 21, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

AVIAN INFLUENZA, POULTRY VS MIGRATORY BIRDS (25)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: 18 May 2007
Source: OIE, Paris [edited]
<http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_070518.htm>

Avian influenza in Ghana: the H5N1 strain isolated shows no new
introduction of the virus to Africa
-----------------------------------------------
The analysis of the H5N1 avian influenza strain isolated from the
outbreak occurring in Ghana clearly indicates that it is closely
related to other isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries like
Ivory Coast, Sudan, Burkina Faso and Nigeria and that it is less
similar to the Asian strains currently isolated.

"The sequencing of the Ghana strain indicates that there is a
similarity range between 98.8 percent and 99.6 percent to other
isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries," the Director general of
the OIE, Dr. Bernard Vallat, said today [18 May 2007]. "That would
indicate that there has been no introduction of a new virus strain to
Ghana," he added.

The OIE continues to emphasize that surveillance supported by
efficient veterinary services is crucial for the early detection of
avian influenza and for a rapid response to be carried out in order
to prevent any further spread of the disease. In addition, the
organization recalled that transparent sharing of virus samples for
sequencing is key to tracking the least genetic evolution of the
virus and trigger appropriate global response mechanisms.

Ghana authorities were quick to notify the OIE of the occurrence of
the outbreak in their territory on 12 May 2007; samples were sent in
a timely manner to the reference laboratory, and the sequencing of
the virus was finalized by the OIE Reference Laboratory for avian
influenza in Padua (Italy) on Wed 16 May 2007.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall

[This would confirm Ghana's claim that the virus was of a regional
and possibly illegal commercial origin and not due to migratory
birds. - Mod.MHJ]

[see also:
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (24) 20070519.1596
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (23) 20070513.1531
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (22) 20070511.1512
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (21) 20070504.1453
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (20) 20070427.1379
Avian Influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (19) 20070424.1339
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (18) 20070422.1315
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (17): Kuwait, RFI 20070419.1285
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (16) 20070407.1172
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (15) 20070321.0993
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (14) 20070314.0905
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (13) 20070216.0587
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (12) 20070214.0556
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (11) 20070213.0539
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (10) 20070131.0394
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (09) 20070124.0323
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (08): RFI 20070120.0262
Avian influenza, poultry vs. migratory birds (07) 20070111.0135
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (06) 20070108.0082
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (05) 20070107.0071
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (04) 20070105.0049
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (03) 20070103.0024
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds (02) 20070103.0017
Avian influenza, poultry vs migratory birds 20070102.0013]

Gert van der Hoek · May 21, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Suspected bird flu case recorded in Sunyani

21-May-2007

The Brong Ahafo regional capital, Sunyani has recorded its first suspected case of bird flu.

According to Sunyani-based Sky FM?s correspondent, Kwabena Ampong, officials of the Agric and Health ministries who stormed the farm following the suspected deaths of a number of poultry, have already culled the stock and also destroyed other products such as eggs and feed.

The officials would however not say what number of poultry was destroyed, preferring to confirm their suspicions after laboratory tests.

The destruction, according to them, was a precautionary measure.

Ghana?s first case of the virus was recorded about three weeks ago on a farm in Tema, where a ban on the sale and movement of poultry and poultry products is presently in place.

http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/health/200705/4809.asp

HenryN · May 21, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Dutchy said:
Suspected bird flu case recorded in Sunyani

21-May-2007

The Brong Ahafo regional capital, Sunyani has recorded its first suspected case of bird flu.

http://www.myjoyonline.com/archives/health/200705/4809.asp

This is about 150 miles north of the initial outbreaks in Ghana.

Migratory birds have wings.

HenryN · May 21, 2007

Re: Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

Avian influenza in Ghana : the H5N1 strain isolated shows no new introduction of the virus to Africa
Paris, 18 May - The analysis of the H5N1 avian influenza strain isolated from the outbreak occurring in Ghana clearly indicates that it is closely related to other isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries like Ivory Coast , Sudan , Burkina Faso and Nigeria and that it is less similar to the Asian strains currently isolated.
?The sequencing of the Ghana strain indicates that there is a similarity range between 98.8% and 99.6% to other isolates from Sub-Saharan African countries?, the Director general of the OIE, Dr Bernard Vallat, said today. ?That would indicate that there has been no introduction of a new virus strain to Ghana ?, he added.
The OIE continues to emphasise that surveillance supported by efficient Veterinary Services is crucial for the early detection of AI and for a rapid response to be carried out in order to prevent any further spread of the disease.
In addition, the organisation recalled that transparent sharing of virus samples for sequencing is key to track the least genetic evolution of the virus and trigger appropriate global response mechanisms.
Ghana authorities were quick to notify the OIE of the occurrence of the outbreak in their territory on the 12 May, samples were sent timely to the reference laboratory, and the sequencing of the virus was finalized by the OIE Reference Laboratory for avian influenza in Padua ( Italy ) on wednesday.

May 2007

http://www.oie.int/eng/press/en_070518.htm

Bird flu: Ghana on high alert

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