Bird flu outbreaks in Bangladesh

New Delhi, May 21 (UNI) The bird flu situation in neighbouring Bangladesh remains serious and the country will have to engage in a long-term strategic campaign against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in order to control the spreading H5N1 virus.

The first officially announced avian influenza outbreak in Bangladesh occurred in February 2007; since then the virus has spread to 11 out of 64 districts, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said today.

Bangladesh is second country in South Asia to be affected by the H5N1 virus this year.

''In response to recent outbreaks, the government and veterinary authorities have applied immediate control and containment measures in affected areas,'' said Joseph Domenech, FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer.

''Bangladesh has already prepared a National Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic Preparedness Plan and an Emergency Operational Plan to meet the threat of bird flu and is implementing these plans to control the disease,'' Domenech added.

Bangladesh has about 220 million chickens and 37 million ducks.

Five million people work in the poultry industry, millions of households rely on poultry production for income generation and nutrition.

The various ways in which the virus spreads needs to be carefully assessed.

FAO also recommended that potential virus spread throughout the market chain, for example through the collection of eggs and distribution of day-old chicks and feed, should be investigated.

Culling is recommended at full scale in affected areas. The movement of people, animals and goods in affected areas should be strictly controlled and basic biosecurity measures (disinfection, protective clothing, etc.) applied.

In addition to existing rehabilitation packages already offered to farmers, FAO suggested public awareness campaigns that are necessary to inform poultry producers and consumers about how to reduce virus spread and protect themselves. There is, however, a need to further strengthen capacity to undertake surveillance, control outbreaks and diagnose the disease.

The Asian Development Bank, USAID and FAO's multidonor Special Fund for Emergency and Rehabilitation Activities (SFERA) have already provided resources to assist Bangladesh in its H5N1 control efforts.

UNI