ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana has banned the import of pork products into the West African nation because of swine flu fears.
The country's Health and Agriculture ministries said in a joint statement Wednesday that the consumption of pork was safe, but the ban was part of efforts to ensure the virus does not reach Ghana.
There is no evidence pigs are connected to the disease's transmission. According to the World Health Organization, swine flu is not transmitted by eating pork or from live pigs.
No cases of the flu have been reported in Africa.
The government statement also says visitors arriving at ports of entry into the country "with signs of flu will be quarantined and provided the needed treatment."
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Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The country's Health and Agriculture ministries said in a joint statement Wednesday that the consumption of pork was safe, but the ban was part of efforts to ensure the virus does not reach Ghana.
There is no evidence pigs are connected to the disease's transmission. According to the World Health Organization, swine flu is not transmitted by eating pork or from live pigs.
No cases of the flu have been reported in Africa.
The government statement also says visitors arriving at ports of entry into the country "with signs of flu will be quarantined and provided the needed treatment."
______
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
