The Ghana Agriculture Chamber of Commerce has dispelled fears Thursday’s bird flu outbreak in Tema endangers consumption of chicken during the Christmas season.

President of the Chamber, Philip Abayori, says the country’s vibrant veterinary services sector would ensure no infected birds get to the market.

He said bird flu is a containable disease, suggesting that infected birds can easily be identified and separated from healthy birds.

“When an outbreak happens, the veterinary officers go the place, the place is fumigated and everything is destroyed. In terms of live birds trade we have the Live Birds Trading Associations across the country and they are also conscious about not selling infected birds,” he said.

Philip Abayori was speaking Thursday evening on current affairs programme, PM Express on the Joy News Channel on Multi TV.

His assurances follow confirmation Thursday of bird flu outbreak in Tema by health authorities.

Head of Public Health at the Veterinary Services, Dr Bashiru Boi Kikimoto, who led a team of examiners said “We have reported to the World Health Organisation of the presence of bird flu in Ghana".

The influenza was confirmed in May this year with Achimota and Tema said to be the worst hit with birds from those two areas quarantined.

Speaking on PM Express, Philip Abayori said intermediaries in the birds trading business would serve as a check against infiltration of infected birds on the market.

“There are intermediaries. it is not as if the farmer himself would be carrying the birds to the market where when he realizes that his birds are infected he may still want to make money. Someone else will buy the birds and trade. So you are guaranteed to eat your Christmas chicken without any problems,” he assured.