title: Biosecurity measures to reduce influenza infections in military barracks in Ghana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Military barracks in Ghana have backyard poultry populations but the methods used here involve low biosecurity measures and high risk zoonosis such as avian influenza A viruses or Newcastle disease. We assessed biosecurity measures intended to minimize the risk of influenza virus infection among troops and poultry keepers in military barracks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We educated troops and used a questionnaire to collect information on animal populations and handling practices from 168 individuals within 203 households in military barracks. Cloacal and tracheal samples were taken from 892 healthy domestic and domesticated wild birds, 91 sick birds and 6 water samples for analysis using molecular techniques for the detection of influenza A virus. Of the 1090 participants educated and 168 that responded to a questionnaire, 818 (75%) and 129 (76.8%) respectively have heard of pandemic avian influenza and the risks associated with its infection. Even though no evidence of the presence of avian influenza infection was found in the 985 birds sampled, only 19.5% of responders indicated they disinfect their coops regularly and 28% wash their hands after handling their birds. Vaccination of birds and use of personal protective clothing while handling the birds were low putting the people at risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though some efforts have been made to improve biosecurity practices, interventions that help to protect the poultry flock from direct contact have to be practiced. Basic hygiene like washing of hands with soap and running water and regular cleaning of chicken coops are needed to prevent the spread of diseases among birds and between birds and humans.
authors.affiliation: Ghana Armed Forces Medical Directorate, Accra, Ghana. princea18@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Prince Godfred
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Agbenohevi
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Accra, Ghana. jodoom@noguchi.ug.edu.gh.
authors.forename: John Kofi
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Odoom
authors.affiliation: Ghana Armed Forces Medical Directorate, Accra, Ghana. konotire@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bel-Nono
authors.affiliation: Ghana Armed Forces Medical Directorate, Accra, Ghana. eonyarko@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Edward Owusu
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Nyarko
authors.affiliation: Ghana Armed Forces Medical Directorate, Accra, Ghana. malhassan37@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Mahama
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alhassan
authors.affiliation: Ghana Armed Forces Medical Directorate, Accra, Ghana. davidkojorodgers@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodgers
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Services Directorate, Accra, Ghana. yfenteng@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Fenteng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Danso
authors.affiliation: Wildlife Division, Forestry Commission, Accra, Ghana. suuire@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Richard D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Suu-Ire
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Accra, Ghana. kbonney@noguchi.mimcom.org.
authors.forename: Joseph Humphrey Kofi
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bonney
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Accra, Ghana. jaboagye@noguchi.ug.edu.gh.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aboagye
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Accra, Ghana. kckronmann@yahoo.com.|U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Cairo, Egypt. kckronmann@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Karl C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kronmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Accra, Ghana. DuplessisCA@state.gov.|U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Cairo, Egypt. DuplessisCA@state.gov.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duplessis
authors.affiliation: U.S. Naval Medical Research Unit No.3, Cairo, Egypt. buhari.oyofo@med.navy.mil.
authors.forename: Buhari Anthony
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Oyofo
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, Legon, Accra, Ghana. wampofo@noguchi.mimcom.org.
authors.forename: William Kwabena
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Ampofo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000193:education*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000502:physiology; D005585:Influenza in Birds / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000193:education*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012637:Security Measures / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000517:prevention & control*