Conclusions
An outbreak of HPAI subtype H5N1 occurred on two adjacent farms located
in Nkawkaw in the Kwahu West Municipality between June 16 and 26 2018.
The source of the outbreak was probably birds purchased from a
commercial farm in Boankra in the Ashanti Region of Ghana by the owner
of Case farm 1 on June 15 2018. The outbreak was confined to the two
farms in the affected municipality. Rapid response to the outbreak
involving depopulation and disinfection of affected farms and live bird
market, ban on sale of live birds and eggs in the markets and health
education to the community helped in controlling the outbreak and
preventing more cases. The implementation of strict monitoring and
certification of livestock before, during and after movement in the
municipality, sensitization of the security services on biosafety
measures at various entry and exit points in the municipality, and
regular and routine inspection of poultry farms by veterinary personnel
are justified measures to prevent future occurrences.