The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Recent outbreak of Avian Influenza in the country has been a great concern for the government. But there is no official report on the number of poultry death and no suspected human cases of the deadly disease reported from any part of the country.

This was stated by environmentalists and experts at a media briefing held in connection with the arrival of migratory water birds in the country.

They urged all to welcome migratory waterfowls and allow them to stay without any hindrance in the country.

They said that there was a widespread misunderstanding of the different ways in which the virus of the disease might spread and misinformation had led to wild birds being automatically blamed.

Although it has been found that numerous species of wild bird specially water birds are susceptible to be infected by the virus of the disease and are likely to have contributed to further spread. The actual importance of this mechanism is still unclear to all, they said.

Up to October 2007, country's 19 districts were affected by Avian Influenza, 54 farms have confirmed virus infection and so far 2,45,180 birds of 77 farms were culled, the report disclosed.

Comprehensive surveillance programmes are essential for better understanding of Avian Influenza, monitoring its development and contributing to early warning systems, speakers said.

Bio-security needs to be enhanced to reduce the risks associated with contact between poultry and waterfowls. A long-term solution would be to separate poultry operations and wetlands used by wild birds in order to avoid shared access and cross-contamination, they added.

The media briefing on 'Migratory Waterbirds and Avian Influenza' organised by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Bangladesh and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) at the National Press Club yesterday.

Dr Ainun Nishat, Country Representative of IUCN, Dr Ray Webb, bird flue expert and FAO Chief Technical Adviser, among others, spoke at the briefing.

Dr Nishat said, "Migratory birds are also affected by Avian Influenza. We must be alert. If the government takes proper management programme migratory birds can be safe in Bangladesh."

Dr Ray Webb said till October 2007, around 700,000 deaths were reported from across the world due to the outbreak of Avian Influenza.

Farmers can help to reduce the risks of direct transmission of poultry and cross-infection between wild and domestic birds, for example by improving hygiene and bio-security standards in farms and during the transportation of birds, they said.

The loss of wetlands around the world may force many wild birds to look for alternative sites like farm ponds and paddy fields, bringing them into direct contact with chickens, ducks, geese and other domestic fowls, they added.

Experts suggested that wild birds and poultry occurring in the same region should not use the same water areas and should not have direct contact with each other.