More than 10,000 poultry birds died from the avian flu outbreak reported in Ghana (xinuanet.com)
According to Patrick Abekeh, director of the Veterinary Services Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), the outbreak has caused the destruction of 10,311 birds in seven farms in the Greater Accra, Volta, and Central Regions.
This outbreak is not over yet as it is spreading to farms in the Ashanti and other regions. The spread, however, can be controlled. At the national level, the government of Ghana has also suspended the importation of poultry from Togo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mauritania and Senegal as a precaution (Reuters).
The government’s effort may not be enough.
Let’s discuss what you must do to prevent bird flu from killing your birds and investment.
Read Also: 14 Deadly Chicken Diseases That Can Destroy Your Poultry Investment
Causes of bird flu (Avian influenza)
Bird flu occurs naturally in wild waterfowl and can spread into domestic poultry, such as chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The disease is transmitted via contact with an infected bird’s faeces, or secretions from its nose, mouth or eyes.
Symptoms of bird flu (Avian influenza)
The signs include respiratory troubles and birds will stop laying. They develop diarrhoea. There may be swelling in the chicken’s face and that their comb and wattle discoloured or turned blue. They may even develop dark red spots on their legs and combs.
Read Also: 12 Shocking Reasons Behind the Low Egg Production in Poultry
Prevention and Treatment of bird flu (Avian influenza)
There is no vaccine and the chickens infected will always be carriers. Wild animals can even carry the disease from bird to bird. Once your birds get this disease, they need to be put down and the carcass burnt or buried. You need to sanitize all areas that the birds were, before introducing a new flock. Take great caution because this disease can make humans sick.
