575 Pigs Die Of African Swine Fever In Ashanti Region
An outbreak of the deadly African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in parts of the Ashanti Region, officials have announced.
The fever is suspected to have affected more than 500 pigs in four farms in the Ahafo Ano North municipal capital, Tepa, for the third time since 2010.
According to a local veterinary officer in Tepa, Daniel Johnson Amenyo, samples were sent to the Disease Investigation Laboratory on 11 February 2022 and the report back confirmed the outbreak of the disease.
“So far, pigs numbering 575 have been confirmed dead. We are entreating farmers to observe biosecurity protocols,” Amenyo told journalists during a field trip.
“For now we have four farms affected by ASF. We are making sure it does not spread to other farms. At the same time movements of pigs into and from the municipality have been banned,” he said.
Lost investment
Farmers, like Ernest Acheampong, who have been rearing these animals in Tepa for decades, are calling for immediate intervention, as the huge investments they have made in their businesses have been lost.
“I detected the symptoms earlier in February and eventually the animals started perishing.
This has [put] me off gear. I am thinking of folding this business. Most of my employees have been asked to go home until things get better,” Acheampong said
“The government should as a matter of urgency help save the situation to avert any economic disaster,” he added.
The Ashanti regional director at the Veterinary Services Department, Dr Marlon Mensah, has also confirmed an outbreak in the Asokwa Municipality, saying that personnel have been dispatched to the area to contain the disease.
He is also concerned about the blatant disregard for biosafety protocols by some farmers.
“For now, our men have been dispatched to these areas and I can say things are under control,” Dr Mensah said.
“Although we have intensified surveillance and education, our farmers are recalcitrant. And if they don’t follow our advice the disease will wipe out their entire animals and you know there is no vaccine treatment for us in Ghana now.”
Jonathan Ofori