News agencies reported that Odisha government of India on December 27 last ordered the culling of more than 2,500 chickens and other poultry after four dead crows and three dead poultry tested positive for H5N1 virus. Meanwhile, at least four Chinese people in a December and January died from H7N9 bird flu. Regional fears of a major bird flu outbreak have been sparked by a recent outbreak of avian influenza in poultry in South Korea, as well as infections in birds in Japan.
In Bangladesh, apart from the Dhamrai Poultry, some 22 crows died from H5N1 virus in Rajshahi recently. However, scientists suspect migratory birds for causing the flu outbreak in Dhamrai. Experts emphasized on further enforcing vaccination of the birds, particularly at breeders’ farms, ensuring at least two doses-one at chick stage and the other one when the birds reach 12 weeks. If the people involved in the poultry industry remain alert and remain diligent in terms of providing vaccination and disinfection the outbreak might be in control.
Bird flu was first reported in Bangladesh’s burgeoning poultry industry back in March, 2007, resulting in a loss of nearly two million chickens and so far, only a single case of flu has been transmitted to humans. There were on and off reports of bird flu outbreaks till late 2013, resulting in shutting down of hundreds of small and medium poultry farms. However, the government and the WHO initiatives and awareness building, better vigilance, promotion of vaccination programme helped the industry spring back with some 5,000 farms restarting poultry rearing again in 2013-14. If the recent signal for outbreak could not be addressed properly, the poultry industry in the country would be crushed and people’s protein demand ignored.
The WHO said they are better prepared for the next influenza pandemic but it may not be enough. The government should take all-out preparation to defeat the flu at its early phase to protect the country’s poultry industry and people from colossal harm.
