Qualitative release assessment of the risk of re-introduction of HPAI H5N1 virus from neighbouring countries into Ghana

• Main Author: Turkson, P.K.
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI); Royal Veterinary College (RVC) 2009
• Subjects: AFRICA SOUTH OF SAHARA; GHANA; WEST AFRICA; avian flu; avian influenza; developing countries; disease; health risks; vulnerability analysis mapping; Avian flu
• Online Access: http://www.ifpri.org/publication/qualitative-release-assessment-risk-re-introduction-hpai-h5n1-virus-neighbouring-countri; http://ebrary.ifpri.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15738coll2/id/27978

By December 2007, there was a continuum of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 affected countries along the West African coast from Cote d’Ivoire to Cameroon. In all, 8 countries in West Africa had recorded HPAI H5N1 (Niger, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon). There is concern about the danger posed by circulation of the virus as these countries are members of ECOWAS and there is constant movement of people and goods and trade between them. At a workshop in Accra in November 2008, participants identified re-introduction of the virus into Ghana as a major challenge. The risk question posed was “What is the risk of re-introduction of HPAI H5N1 virus from neighbouring countries (Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo) into Ghana via cross-border trade and movements involving live birds, poultry products and fomites?“. Three release risk pathways involving Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Togo were developed. A questionnaire was developed to elicit responses from identified experts to provide information. Credible information was received from Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. There was no response from Togo. A qualitative risk assessment following the OIE framework was undertaken to address the risk question. The qualitative risk estimates for the release pathways ranged from negligible to very low with high uncertainty. During outbreaks in neighbouring countries when birds are infected, the risks will vary and are likely to be higher. The highest risk of re-introduction of HPAI H5N1 virus to Ghana is the pathway involving cross-border trade and movement of poultry, poultry products, people and fomites from Cote d’Ivoire with risk estimates being negligible to medium. This is because poultry and poultry products are illegally sent into Ghana (despite a ban on poultry and poultry products) and the existence of farms along the border in the two countries under similar management and therefore sharing facilities. The steps of the pathway for the re-introduction from Cote ...