Media can play due role to prevent bird flu

Speakers at the inaugural session of a three-day workshop for the journalists here on Friday said media could play a vital role in the overall efforts to prevent the Avian Influenza (bird flu) infection.

They said creation of awareness, instead of spreading panic among the common people, is very essential to protect the poultry sector from devastation caused by bird flu.

Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) with support from the UNICEF is organizing the workshop on "Avian Influenza and Pandemic Influenza Awareness and Preparedness" here to aware the journalists about the disease and its possible precautionary measures.

Director General of PIB Mridula Bhattacharya addressed the inaugural session as the chief guest with Director (Training) Mahfuzur Rahman in the chair. Around 40 newsmen working in both print and electronic media from Chapainawabganj and Rajshahi districts are taking part in the workshop.

Dr. A H Noor Ali Khan of Bangladesh Agriculture University presented the keynote paper describing historical background, current status and socio-economic impact of bird flu its probable causes and prevention.

Terming the frontier areas as the most vulnerable to the infection by this disease, the speakers said smuggling of chicks and eggs into the country must be checked and effective steps should be taken to stop this kind of cross border trade.

They urged the Department of Livestock and other concerned authorities to step up due measures against the pandemic avian influenza to protect the poultry farms as a large number of grassroots people are directly involved with this vital sector, contributing enormously to the country's economic progress.

The speakers also urged the government to bring the poultry hatcheries within the close supervision and monitoring network of the Department of Livestock along with imparting necessary training to the poultry farmers on motivation and awareness to check the infection.

They said the journalists could play a very significant role in this regard as the avian influenza is not only a threat for the poultry sector but also for the human being.