Quarantine stations in seven more ports soon

Syful Islam | Published: August 10, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

The government is going to set up animal quarantine stations in seven more ports aiming to stop trans-boundary animal disease transmission, official said.
The ministry of fisheries and livestock (MoFL) recently decided that the quarantine stations would be set up in Osmani International Airport, Tamabil land port, Zakiganj land port, Sutarkandi land port, Bituli land port, Burimari land port and Birol land port.
A senior official at the department of livestock services told the FE that quarantine stations will be set up as an effort to stop transmission of trans-boundary diseases like foot and mouth disease, avian influenza and bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease and anthrax.
He said some 17 such quarantine stations have already been established in different ports including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and Chittagong sea port.
The quarantine stations are being set up under a project-Livestock Diseases Prevention and Control-at a cost of Tk 540 million. Started in July 2012 the project was supposed to have been completed last year. Â
Project director Dr Shafiqul Islam told the FE two more years will be needed to complete the project by setting up the last seven quarantine stations.
He said out of 17 such stations some are already functioning while procurement and setting up of necessary equipment for some of them was still going on.
Mr Islam said the MoFL recently took a decision about setting up of the stations in seven ports. "Now we will start installation of the equipment in those ports."
An order of the MoFL to this regard said the stations will be set up to prevent animal disease, ensuring safe food and safety of public health.
It said the quarantine stations will examine all the livestock for both export and importÂ Â purposes and provide certificates. Veterinary experts will also check the certificates of physical test and other documents. If needed, they will test the livestock in suitable laboratories to be sure that those are not infected by any disease.Â Â
The quarantine stations will destroy the livestock and products of livestock if those were found inconsumable by human beings after necessary tests. The stations will also take necessary steps to detect and destroy drugs, chemicals, virus, bacteria, poison and radio-active substances on livestock which are harmful for both human beings and animals.
The stations, alongside carrying out necessary tests, will also ensure that livestock meant for export comply with required safety standards and other conditions of importing country.
When contacted, director general of department of livestock services (DLS) Ajay Kumar Roy told the FE in the past there were quarantine stations of health and agriculture department in some ports.
"We have now to set up livestock quarantine stations in the ports to avoid transmission of diseases by animal in and out of the country," he said.
Mr Roy said some stations are already functioning in full swing while some are under construction.
Officials said every year nearly five million cattle come from neighbouring India and a significant number of animals come for breeding, rearing, zoos, and as pets.
Besides, a good volume of products manufactured and derived from livestock also enter into Bangladesh for consumption which needs proper check-up and quarantine, they added.
In the recent years Bangladesh has experienced several outbreaks of bird flu leading to culling of thousands of birds. In March 2012 the ministry of health and family welfare confirmed two new cases of human infection with avian influenza virus. Since 2008 six people were infected by the highly pathogenic virus H5N1.
Â Â Â syful-islam@outlook.com