200 pigs have died as a result of swine flu in Bono Region – Dr Donald Joachim

Health officials in the Bono Region have announced the outbreak of African swine fever in the region.

According to the Bono Regional Director of Veterinary Services Department, Dr Donald Joachim Darko, a total of 200 pigs have died as a result of the outbreak.

Speaking in a Citi News interview, Dr. Darko said the department has intensified its monitoring and education to ensure the disease does not spread to other parts of the region.

“We have confirmed cases of African swine fever in the region. Samples were taken in the Jaman North district around Sampa. 200 deaths have been recorded among pigs. This disease spreads very fast and this figure is from seven farms,” he said.

“In order for the disease not to spread, we have called for a stakeholder meeting to explain to those in charge about how the disease spreads and how to prevent it from spreading,” he added.

Some two months ago, cases of African Swine Flu were confirmed at Nsaki and Kpone in the Kpone Katamanso Municipality.

The Municipal Veterinary Officer, Dr. Emmanuel Kwao Pecku also urged owners of pigs to restrict their movements to prevent the spread of the disease.

There was another outbreak of the disease in Ghana in 2019.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and feral swine of all ages.

African swine fever is not a threat to human health and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans.

The disease is common in different countries of the world, but is more common in sub-Saharan Africa.

Ghana is already fighting the outbreak of the Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu which has led to the death of thousands of birds in seven regions