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Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) has recently emerged as a global concern and has been detected in Bangladesh.
On 15 March 2007, preliminary tests conducted by Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) suspects about H5N1 virus. This was confirmed by further tests done at The National Institute of Animal Health of Thailand.
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| On the basis of the report, Hon'ble Advisers, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare discussed the issue in various meeting, seminar and took important decision to contain the spread. WHO, FAO, World Bank, UNDP and UNICEF in Bangladesh are providing assistance to the Government. |
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| Please See detailed report for the important decisions that have been taken. |
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| For overall monitoring of the situation following Monitoring Cells have been established by the government: |
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Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock |
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Phone: 7166263 Fax: 7161117 |
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Department of Livestock |
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Phone: 9122557 |
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Department of Health |
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Phone: 8819353, 8818736 Fax: 9899085 |
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The Government has also formed a high level committee to monitor the situation. The contact person for the Government is Dr. Md. Abdul Motalib. He is the technical focal point on Bird Flu from Department of Livestock Services. He may be contacted for further information: e-mail: dr_motalib@yahoo.com Telephone: 880-2-8115532, Fax: 880-2-9110326. |
| It has been observed that Bird Flu is often a subject of mis-communication. To ensure dissemination of authentic messages in a coherent and consistent way, the Government of Bangladesh is in the process of developing a Communication Strategy in close collaboration with the donors, UN agencies and NGO partners. |
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| In order and avoid panic and infection, the Government has suggested the following: |
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Do not touch or handle sick birds |
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Do not remove features or slaughter or handle infected birds at home |
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Children should not be allowed to touch, carry or play with birds since they may carry the virus |
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Always wash hands with soap and water after handling birds |
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Wear a mask or cover the nose and mouth with a thick cloth when handling birds, specially chickens. Be careful not to rub your eyes, nose or mouth after touching bird |
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Cock poultry meat and eggs well before eating. Raw poultry products should not be eaten |
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If you live in area where there are birds flu outbreaks, avoid going to places where live birds are sold or slaughtered |
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Chicken droppings should not be used as fertilizers |
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Report unusual death of birds to local authorities.
Prosecution
should be taken while disposing birds |
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Immediately consult a doctor if you or someone you know develops flu-like illness after contact with birds. Visit the nearest health centre or hospital for check-up and treatment. Inform them of your contact with sick, dying or dead birds. |
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The FoSHoL programme is focusing on the livelihoods of agricultural dependent food insecure HHs. Poultry production is an important entrepreneurial activity of many of these Households (HHs). As a programme, we will seek to keep our frontline service providers, beneficiary HHs and field level staff informed and up-to-date on Avian Influenza (Bird Flu). FoSHoL Programme had organized meeting on Avian Flu in 2006 with all Partners to ensure proper information flow to our target groups in line with the policy of the Government of Bangladesh and the European Commission.
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| We will disseminate information that carries the authority of the Bangladesh Government. We will also upload the official materials related to Bird Flu in this website as soon as they are available for release from the Government. We will arrange dissemination of these materials to our beneficiary HHs and field level staff. |
