College of Basic and Applied Sciences Holds 6th Public lecture

Dr. William Blankson Amanfu

The College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) has held its 6th Public Lecture on the topic “Animal Agriculture and Public Health: The Case of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)”. The lecture was delivered by Dr. William Blankson Amanfu, a former Senior Officer of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Italy and Chairman of the Veterinary Council of Ghana.

Dr. Amanfu presented a global picture of meat trade and the serious challenges in meat production in Africa, specifically with regards to pork, beef and poultry.  He provided a background into the extent of investment that has been made into poultry farming to accelerate the provision of protein sources. He threw light on some of the challenges that have beset the industry, which made it difficult for return on investments to be realized. Dr. Amanfu indicated that the increase in zoonotic diseases, (infections naturally transmitted between humans and vertebrate animals), which was a major problem. is as a result of the closeness of man with domestic animals.  Dr. Amanfu further noted that there are more than 800 zoonoses which have been identified, notably bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal and prions. He touched briefly on the global burden of zoonoses, stating that, at least 75% of emerging pathogens can be linked to animal origins such as HIV, SARS, Ebola, Zika etc. He identified the rapidly expanding human population, encroachment of human activity into the wilderness, movement of wild animals into areas of human activity, increased contact between animals and humans, increased global movement of people and animals and climate change as six key factors that have contributed to the burden of zoonoses.

He also cited the example of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - a viral disease transmitted from poultry to man as a prototype to describe the occurrence, spread, control and the socio-economic impact of some of these zoonotic diseases. The example of HPAI resonated well with the audience as the country is currently experiencing outbreaks in Tarkwa and Akuse.

Elaborating further, he indicated that Ghana experienced her first HPAI outbreaks in October 2006/2007, and the disease was effectively controlled in the country and within the West Africa sub-region for several years due to good surveillance systems. He noted that to date, the cumulative outbreaks in Ghana that have occurred mainly in commercial broiler and layer operations are 41, with 33 cases reported in Greater Accra, 2 in Volta , 3 in Western, and 1 each  in Ashanti, Eastern and Central Regions.

In a comparison of  the recent outbreaks to that of 2006/2007, Dr. Amanfu pointed out that this current outbreak affected exotic birds such as partridges, quails, guinea fowls, geese, ducks, turkeys and pigeons in addition to domestic poultry.  Dr. Amanfu showed a map of the Avian Influenza in West Africa with a significant number of reported cases in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, a small number in Ivory Coast and none in Togo and Benin.

Dr. Amanfu gave detailed descriptions of the disease, supported by pictures and stated that the classic symptoms are severe cyanosis of the shanks, comb and wattle as well as conical enlargement and hemorrhage in intestines. He stressed that the disease may appear suddenly in a flock and many birds may die either without signs or with minimal signs of depression, inappetence, ruffled feathers and fever. He also pointed out that the extent of the loss to the poultry industry during the outbreak in January 2016 was massive, with reports indicating that 102,760 birds were susceptible to the disease out of which 26,434 of them died and 76, 326 birds of various species and ages were destroyed.

In response to the recent outbreaks, Dr. Amanfu explained that the Government of Ghana has approved an amount of GH¢3.5 million to be paid as compensation for poultry destroyed. He attributed the recent emergence of HPAI in Ghana primarily to the gradual breakdown in surveillance systems over the past nine years and decline in the levels of biosecurity practiced on various farms as a result of un-sustained farmer education. He used the example of veterinary officers shuttling between farms during the onset of break outs as a major source of transmitting the disease and the disregard for appropriate protective gear. He also cited the inactivity of committees set up for the prevention and control of HPAI as a factor and indicated this was due mostly to financial constraints.  He further stated that the major challenges they face in trying to control the disease is the lack of truthful reporting from the farmers.

Dr. Amanfu emphasized the importance of strategically tackling the outbreak, while noting some steps that have already been taken to address the issue. This included the establishment of a Joint National Technical Task Force comprising members from Ministry of Health, Food and Agricultural Organization, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Veterinary Science Directorate, National Disaster Management Organization and a number of other key stakeholders. He indicated that there is no doubt the global outbreaks of HPAI in early 2000 characterized by human mortality and severe economic repercussions, were the major contributory factors to the current collaboration between the Medical and Veterinary professions.  He explained that an integrated value chain approach is necessary to manage the disease.

On the way forward, Dr. Amanfu strongly advocated the maintenance of strict biosecurity, improvements in epidemiological capacity to trace outbreaks effectively for counter-epizootic measures, enhancing laboratory diagnostics for early detection and response and adoption of best practices. He also recommended depopulation of affected farms and thorough decontamination as well as improved personal hygiene and proper handling and cooking of poultry meat.  He underscored the importance of training various stakeholders along the value chain such as live bird market operators, feed millers, drug sellers, poultry farmers and extension workers. He indicated that a significant amount of knowledge dissemination has been done through the National Association of Poultry Farmers and that remains the most reliable channel of communication.

The lecture generated a high level of discussions on major issues including the differentiation between slaughter and destruction of poultry as well as concerns on the transmission of HAPI from poultry to fish through feed.

In response to suggestions to develop a vaccine for HAPI, Dr. Amanfu noted that due to the mutating nature of the virus it would be difficult to develop a vaccine for it. He added that breeding HAPI resistant birds would take years since it is not guaranteed to be sustainable, and as multiple crossings could eventually remove the trait.

Participants at the lecture series also recommended that discussions on HAPI should be intensified to create more awareness on the disease. Dr. Amanfu in his closing remarks commended CBAS for instituting the lecture as it was a good avenue to share real life issues with students and for researchers to have continuing education on emerging issues.

Prof. Asiedu expressed his gratitude to Dr. Amanfu for honoring the invitation and presented a citation to him for his meritorious and strong commitment to the development of Veterinary Medicine in Ghana and the rest of the World.

From Left to Right: Mr. Emmanuel. Baidoo, Dr. William Blankson Amanfu, Prof. D. K. Asiedu and Prof. K. G. Aning

The Lecture was moderated by Prof. K.G Aning and was hosted by the School of Veterinary Medicine-Legon. Earlier in the lecture the College Secretary of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) , Mr. Emmanuel Baidoo delivered welcome remarks.

A section of the audience at the Lecture