Control bird flu
Sunday, 17 February 2008
Avian influenza in poultry birds has become a serious concern for all of us. Death of crows has only increased the level of this concern. Many fear that bird flue might have spread among other birds.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that avian influenza or H5N1 has killed more than 220 people worldwide since 2003. It could mutate into a form to infect and kill humans. Since detection in March last year, the H5N1 virus was quickly brought under control through aggressive measures, including culling. No human infections have so far been reported.
Vulnerability of densely populated Bangladesh remains high as we have millions of backyard poultry and thousands of chicken farms. People living close to infected farms remain vulnerable. The waste collectors do also collect from dustbins dead birds, infected by avian flue that are thrown into them.
So it is very urgent to take extra precautionary measures to stop any further spread of this deadly virus. Potential sources of spreading of avian influenza needs to be identified and at the same time the people across the country should be made aware of the danger. The government should also strengthen its supervision and monitoring to stop the recurrence of the disease in the future.
Mohsin Khan
Gazipur, Dhaka
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reported that avian influenza or H5N1 has killed more than 220 people worldwide since 2003. It could mutate into a form to infect and kill humans. Since detection in March last year, the H5N1 virus was quickly brought under control through aggressive measures, including culling. No human infections have so far been reported.
Vulnerability of densely populated Bangladesh remains high as we have millions of backyard poultry and thousands of chicken farms. People living close to infected farms remain vulnerable. The waste collectors do also collect from dustbins dead birds, infected by avian flue that are thrown into them.
So it is very urgent to take extra precautionary measures to stop any further spread of this deadly virus. Potential sources of spreading of avian influenza needs to be identified and at the same time the people across the country should be made aware of the danger. The government should also strengthen its supervision and monitoring to stop the recurrence of the disease in the future.
Mohsin Khan
Gazipur, Dhaka