Preventive measures to check avian influenza stressed

block
BSS, Rajshahi :
All the government, non-government and research organizations concerned and other stakeholders should come forward and work together to free the poultry sector from avian influenza infection,speakers at a discussion here said.
They viewed focus should be given on creating awareness among the grassroots people side by side with intensifying inter-departmental coordination to check the influenza to protect this potential sector from any adverse impact as it contributes a lot towards meeting up the country’s nutritional demands.
Quiet a large number of people at every nook and corner of the region are directly engaged in poultry farming, making significant contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh.
They were addressing the inaugural session of a three-day training course titled “Endemic Studies on High Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Naogaon,Bangladesh” held at BRAC Learning Centre in the city yesterday. More than 65 livestock officers are taking part in the training.
Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (DVAS) of Rajshahi University (RU) and Department of Livestock Services (DLS) jointly organized the course in association with Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Vice-chancellor of RU Prof Md Mijanuddin and Pro-VC Prof Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan addressed the session as chief and special guests respectively with Dr Mozaffar Hossain, Chairman of DVAS, in the chair. Dean of Faculty of Agriculture Prof Dr Saiful Islam, Divisional Deputy Director of DLS Mohir Uddin and Dr Hemayetul Islam from DVAS also spoke.
During his concept paper presentation, Prof Dr Jalal Uddin Sarder from DVAS described historical background, current status and socio-economic impact of avian influenza and its probable causes and prevention.
He said creation of awareness, instead of spreading panic among the common people, is very essential to protect the poultry sector from devastation caused by the influenza.
Terming the frontier areas as the most vulnerable to the infection by this disease, he 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.
In his remarks, VC Prof Mijanuddin 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.
He also urged the government to bring the poultry hatcheries within the close supervision and monitoring network of the DLS along with imparting necessary training to the poultry farmers on motivation and awareness to check the infection.
block