Conference Abstract | Volume 9, Abstract 032 (ConfProc7) | Published: 04 May 2026
Kingsley Kwabena Amoako1,&, Joyce Der2, Delia Akosua Bandoh1, Basil Benduri Kaburi1, Joseph Asamoah Frimpong1, Charles Noora Lwanga1, Donne Ameme1, Samuel Sackey1, Ernest Kenu1
1Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (GFELTP), Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Fred N. Binka School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
&Corresponding author: Kingsley Kwabena Amoako; Ghana Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (GFELTP), Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, Email: kamoako15@gmail.com ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7398-1732
Received: 11 Aug 2025, Accepted: 28 Oct 2025, Published: 04 May 2026
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Avian Influenza, Surveillance System, Ghana, Public Health, Evaluation
©Kingsley Kwabena Amoako et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Kingsley Kwabena Amoako et al. Avian influenza surveillance system evaluation, Ga East District, Greater Accra Region, Ghana, 2025. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2026;9(ConfProc7):032. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO7-0032
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a global veterinary and public health concern due to its zoonotic potential, high poultry mortality, and severe economic impacts in many countries, including Ghana. Effective surveillance is critical for early detection and containment. However, challenges persist in timely case identification and response. This study evaluated the Avian Influenza surveillance system in Ga East District to assess its attributes and usefulness.
A descriptive cross-sectional evaluation was conducted using the CDC’s 2001 Updated Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems. Data from 2021 to 2024 were collected through stakeholder interviews, record reviews, and field observations. Nine attributes, including simplicity, flexibility, stability, and sensitivity, were assessed alongside the objectives of the surveillance system, using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.
The system detected 9 outbreaks over the 4 years, out of which 7 were true outbreaks of AI. The system had simple reporting and feedback channels and could easily detect other diseases with similar presentations. However, dependence on farmer reporting delayed early case detection, limiting sensitivity. Resource constraints, including inadequate logistics and funding, undermined stability. Nevertheless, most of the objectives of the surveillance system were achieved.
The Avian Influenza surveillance system in Ga East District is useful, with good attributes, though sensitivity, undermined by early detection, and system stability, remain weak points. Strengthening resources and adopting active surveillance would improve outbreak preparedness and response.
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