Bird flu disease kills 191 people worldwide

About 372 people worldwide had been infected with the Bird Flu disease since it became prevalent some four years ago and out of the figure 191 have died.

Dr Joseph Adongo Awuni, a Senior Veterinary Officer of the Accra Veterinary Laboratory, said this at a day's workshop on the Bird Flu disease organized for poultry farmers in the Ashanti Region in Kumasi.

The Poultry Development Board of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture sponsored it.

He said the disease had proved to be more deadly and highly complicated than even HIV/AIDS because its clinical signs were varied and influenced by many factors.

Dr Awuni appealed to poultry farmers to develop bio-security plans and basic response measures in their activities to prevent the disease from spreading.

Nicholas Kwame Oteng, Executive Secretary of the Poultry Development Board commended government for its swift response in managing and controlling the disease following its breakout.

He called on farmers to watch out for signs of the disease and report to veterinary officers when necessary, adding that "Government will give the requisite compensation to farmers whose birds are destroyed as a result of the disease".

Source: GNA