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.