Swine flu: Pork imports banned

The importation of pork and pork products into the country has been banned.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, follows the outbreak of swine flu, a deadly respiratory disease caused by a strain of the influenza virus which is endemic in pigs, in some parts of the world.

A statement jointly signed by the Minister of Health, Dr George Sipa-Adjah Yankey and the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Alfred Tia, said, "The consumption of pork in the country has no danger attached to it. However, the two ministries advise that pork and pork products should be well cooked before consumption."

It also stated that the government had enough stock of medicines for managing influenza, including swine flu and advised anyone with symptoms of flu, including high temperature, cough, severe sore throat, bodily aches and chills to report to the nearest health facility for appropriate management.

It assured the public that the outbreak of swine flu in some parts of the world which had attracted international attention had not been detected in Ghana.

"The ministries of Health and Agriculture wish to assure the general public that adequate measures are being taken to mitigate any effects of the swine flu on the country's population," the• statement said.

The Ghana Veterinary Services, the statement said, had intensified its surveillance and monitoring activities throughout the country and would immediately update the public should any case of swine flu be detected.

"The immigration authorities are also maintaining vigilance at the ports of entry and all arriving passengers with signs of flu will be quarantined and provided with the needed treatment," it said.

The statement said in view of the seriousness of the swine flu threat, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had raised the alert level to four, asking all countries to instigate mitigating measures to protect their population.

According to the WHO, the deadly swine flu virus, which was first found in Mexico, had become "a potential pandemic" and urged governments around the world to take precautions against it.

Countries across the world, including the United States of America, which was next to record the disease, Nigeria and many European countries, have since announced various measures to curb its spread.

Presently, people in Mexico have been given surgical masks to wear and all schools, gymnasiums and courts have been closed until May 6, 2009 to prevent contagion.

The Mexican government has faced criticism for what some see as its slow response to this outbreak.