The Ministry of Food and Agriculture is warning the general public of a possible outbreak of the Avian flu (bird flu) in the country. The Ministry said reported cases of the disease in Nigeria showed that the disease had not yet been eradicated and the risk of it being introduced into Ghana was relatively high. In a statement, the Director of Finance and Administration of the Ministry, Alidu Fuseini explained that on the January 17, 2007, Nigeria recorded her first human fatality from the Avian Influenza virus, H5NI. The Ministry said it was therefore extremely necessary to remind Ghanaians that the threat of the bird flu was still real and that every Ghanaian needed to continue to be vigilant since the migration of birds southwards continued. Mr. Fuseini stressed that the ban on the importation of poultry and poultry products including feathers from infected countries was still in force. He gave the assurance that everything possible was being done to prevent the entry of the virus into the country. African countries known to have reported the virus include Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Niger.