The Noguchi Memorial Institute for Research has confirmed the outbreak of the Avian flu, also known as bird flu.
Five out of six sample tests conducted by the Institute proved positive for the bird flu virus.
Confirming the results on Joy FM, Wednesday afternoon, a Research Fellow at the Institute, Dr Kofi Odoon said the samples were received on May 15, 2015 from two farms located in Achimota and Tema.
He explained that the virus for now is from bird to bird, adding however that the Institute is yet to conduct tests on the handlers of those birds to confirm whether or not the virus has been transferred from birds to humans.
He was quick to add that there is no cause for alarm at least for now but advised poultry farmers to keep their farms clean and report as soon as possible strange behaviour by their birds.
He said everything will be done to control the disease.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Agriculture Minister, Dr Hannah Bissiw, has warned poultry farmers not to eat affected birds.
She said even the birds which die in various farms must be sent to the veterinary services for investigation.
The Deputy Minister also advised travelers to neighbouring countries not to import the birds
Bird flu – Key facts • Avian influenza (AI), commonly called bird flu, is an infectious viral disease of birds.
• Most avian influenza viruses do not infect humans; however some, such as A(H5N1) and A(H7N9), have caused serious infections in people.
• The majority of human cases of A(H5N1) and A(H7N9) infection have been associated with direct or indirect contact with infected live or dead poultry.
• Controlling the disease in animals is the first step in decreasing risks to humans.
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