The New Nation - Internet Edition

A BIRD flu epidemic like situation is now sweeping Bangladesh. Notwithstanding reassuring statements to play down the grave health threat from it by the official spokesman, the reality is that Bangladesh is now a dangerously bird flu afflicted country. It would be only irresponsibility of the highest order and self-defeating not to recognise this grim reality. Only such recognition will create the ground for tackling it with the seriousness it deserves. A government spokesman said that that Bangladesh is still not a worst case of the disease like neighbouring West Bengal. But the flue has been detected in 37 districts of the country and hundreds of thousands of poultry birds have been culled. The deadly virus of bird flu has been detected in the capital city and other major towns. Thus it has become like an epidemic in Bangladesh also that needs to be tackled on a war footing in the interest of public health.

Only very lately, sale of live poultries in the capital city has been prohibited. But the sale of dressed birds is outside the prohibition. Care should be taken so that unscrupulous persons cannot sell the infected and culled birds as dressed ones to get around the ban. This would, otherwise, create worse problems. Therefore, no time should be lost making the restrictions effective. Sale of poultries and even eggs should be restricted for a period of time and the restrictions should be sternly enforced. West Bengal authorities have done this and there is every reason for Bangladesh to do the same if the government really wants to be successful in safeguarding the people's health. The enforcement of a comprehensive ban of certain practices should be accompanied by all out vigilance against poultry traders who are reported to be deliberately selling or disposing of infected birds to avoid or limit losses.

This trade must strictly be restricted by any means. All hotels and restaurants in the city must be ordered to take particular care while catering dishes with poultry meat. Vigilance must ensure compliance with such orders. Massive and regular publicities must be launched in the media to warn households and the ordinary consumers of poultry meat. For the culled birds and till the restrictions on sale remains, the affected poultry farms should be paid compensation money. The rate of payment may be enhanced and payment should be regular and prompt so that the poultry sector can create its capacity for recovery and resumption of business after the end of the epidemic. The outbreak, again, may not be over in just a year or so. The disease has been there in different countries of the world for about four years. So when the intensity of the attack of the diseases comes down, the restrictions now being imposed should also be gradually withdrawn making sure that the public health is not endangered.