Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ghana, 2015: degree of losses and outcomes of time-course outbreak management
Loading...
Date
2020-02-17
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Epidemiology and Infection
Abstract
This retrospective study highlights the degree of losses and time-course through which the
2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in Ghana were managed. A total
of 102 760 birds from 35 farms across five regions in Ghana included in this study were
affected. Out of this, 89.3% was from the Greater Accra region. Majority of the birds were
culled (94.2%). Adult layers were most affected and destroyed (64.0%), followed by broilers
(13.7%). Event initiation to reporting averaged 7.7 ± 1.3 days (range: 1–30 days). Laboratory
confirmation to depopulation of birds averaged 2.2 ± 0.5 (0–15) days while depopulation to
disinfection took 2.2 ± 0.7 (0–20) days. Overall, some farms took as long as 30 days to report
the outbreak to the authorities, 15 days from confirmation to depopulation and 20 days from
depopulation to disinfection. On average, outbreak management lasted 12.3 (2–43) days from
event initiation to depopulation. The study reveals a significant number of avian losses and
delays in HPAI reporting and management by the authorities in Ghana during the 2015 outbreak.
This poses a high risk of spread to other farms and a threat to public health. Awareness
creation for poultry farmers is necessary for early reporting, while further study is required to
set thresholds for the management of such outbreaks by veterinary departments.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
HPAI, management, outbreak, time-course
Citation
Tasiame W, Johnson S, Burimuah V, Akyereko E, El-Duah P, Amemor E, Emikpe BO, Owiredu EW (2020). Outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ghana, 2015: degree of losses and outcomes of timecourse outbreak management. Epidemiology and Infection 148, e45, 1–8. https://doi.org/ 10.1017/S095026882000045X