Officials of the East Mamprusi Municipality Agric Directorate have destroyed over 500 birds following the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak at a poultry farm in Nalerigu in the North East Region.

The infected farm has since been fumigated while officials have ordered its temporal shut down.

This is the first outbreak ever recorded in the Region, with officials suspecting infected egg crates as the possible source of infection.

The owner of the farm, 34-year-old Latif Saaka, had earlier sought the help of a relative after his birds began to die some two weeks ago.

According to him, he thought it was the harmattan season that caused the death of his flock. The relative he consulted recommended a list of antibiotics and antibacterial for their treatment.

The birds continued to die, despite the administration of the medication. More than 20 of the birds died within a day last week. This prompted him to contact local veterinary officials.

“They were 1,000 birds I brought here, but along the line, I was some mortalities. But what was left when the thing started was 551.”

After the officials were contacted, samples were then collected from the farm. A test conducted at Pong-Tamale confirmed the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak.

“That was Tuesday; they came and asked me some questions. Then, they took some information and told me that it was Avian Influenza, so they are coming to destroy them, burn them and disinfect the whole farm so that in case I want to restock, I can do so,” Latif added.