The Upper West Region has recorded its first case of Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu.

This came to the fore after bird carcasses from a commercial poultry farm in Tumu in the Sissala East Municipality tested positive for the influenza.

This brings to seven, the number of regions in which cases of the flu have so far been reported.

The others are the Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, Volta, Western and Western North Regions.

According to a statement signed by the Municipal Veterinary Officer at the Department of Agriculture in Sissala East, Eric Tergu, the affected farm has since been quarantined and biosecurity there strengthened.

The Municipal Veterinary Officer at the Department of Agriculture in Sissala East, Eric Tergu, says they are on high alert following the first outbreak of Avian Influenza, popularly known as Bird flu, in the Upper West Region.

Speaking to Citi News, Municipal Veterinary Officer at the Department of Agriculture in Sissala East, Eric Tergu said officers in the region, have been instructed to put in monitoring measures in order to prevent the spread of the disease to other farms.

“A farmer reported to me that his birds are dying in large numbers. When I went, I equally observed that some of the birds were actually dead, lying on the ground. Because of the precaution, we couldn’t do any post-examination. So we quickly took samples and sent them to Accra, and the confirmation that came was that they tested positive for Avian Influenza. We will continue with our surveillance system to prevent any further outbreaks.”

This brings to seven, the number of regions in which cases of the flu have so far been reported. The others are the Greater Accra, Central, Ashanti, Volta, Western and Western North Regions.