Bird flu detected in Savar poultry farm

[Duck]

Bird flu detected in Savar poultry farm

Avian Influenza virus has been detected in a poultry farm at Savar on the outskirts of the capital, advisers told a special meeting of the council of advisers yesterday.

According to an official handout, Adviser for Health and Family Welfare Major General (retd) ASM Matiur Rahman and Adviser for Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock CS Karim informed the meeting that "Avian Influenza virus has been detected in a poultry farm in Savar recently".

Samples were sent on an urgent basis to Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute and also to the National Institute of Animal Health in Bangkok for confirmation.
"The results showed the existence of influenza virus of the H5N1 variety," the meeting was further informed.
However, poultry birds infected with H5N1 variety have not been detected anywhere else in the country other than Savar area.
Chaired by Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed, the meeting held at his office was apprised that the government has initiated a number of "preemptive and proactive actions to eliminate any possibility of its further proliferation to other places".
The measures include: a) Destruction of poultry birds in the infected areas; b) Restricting the movement of poultry birds within 10-kilometre radius of the affected area;
c) Preventive measures including chemo-profiling of those handling poultry birds;
d) Doctors have already been trained to handle the situation; and e) Opening of control and monitoring cells in the health and fisheries and livestock ministries.
"The government would like to assure that there is no reason for any panic or concern. In fact, poultry birds and eggs can be consumed as usual through normal cooking," says the official announcement, quoting experts.

http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/03/23/d7032301022.htm

[Duck]

Here is more news :

Avian influenza – better known as bird flu -- has been detected in samples from a poultry farm in Savar, the government said in a statement Thursday. The government rushed a special cabinet meeting where health adviser ASM Matiur Rahman and livestock adviser CS Karim broke the news that results of laboratory tests showed existence of the deadly virus of H5N1 in chickens in the farm. The government, however, asked the public not to panic. "There is no reason for any panic or concern. In fact, poultry birds and eggs can be consumed as usual through normal cooking," the official statement said quoting experts.

http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?...id=1735#tp1735 But personally, I doubt this deeply. How infected poultry can be consumed safely in our country? Because in our country chickens are handled by general people from market to the kitchen.......there is every possibility of getting infected during handling although cooking may kill the virus!!

[Duck]

Here is the fact sheet on bird flu from CDC:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm

[Duck]

How do people become infected?
Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their faeces, is presently considered the main route of human infection. To date, most human cases have occurred in rural or periurban areas where many households keep small poultry flocks, which often roam freely, sometimes entering homes or sharing outdoor areas where children play. As infected birds shed large quantities of virus in their faeces, opportunities for exposure to infected droppings or to environments contaminated by the virus are abundant under such conditions. Moreover, because many households in Asia depend on poultry for income and food, many families sell or slaughter and consume birds when signs of illness appear in a flock, and this practice has proved difficult to change. Exposure is considered most likely during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking.

Is it safe to eat poultry and poultry products?
Yes, though certain precautions should be followed in countries currently experiencing outbreaks. In areas free of the disease, poultry and poultry products can be prepared and consumed as usual (following good hygienic practices and proper cooking), with no fear of acquiring infection with the H5N1 virus.
In areas experiencing outbreaks, poultry and poultry products can also be safely consumed provided these items are properly cooked and properly handled during food preparation. The H5N1 virus is sensitive to heat. Normal temperatures used for cooking (70^oC in all parts of the food) will kill the virus. Consumers need to be sure that all parts of the poultry are fully cooked (no “pink” parts) and that eggs, too, are properly cooked (no “runny” yolks).
Consumers should also be aware of the risk of cross-contamination. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should never be allowed, during food preparation, to touch or mix with items eaten raw. When handling raw poultry or raw poultry products, persons involved in food preparation should wash their hands thoroughly and clean and disinfect surfaces in contact with the poultry products Soap and hot water are sufficient for this purpose.
In areas experiencing outbreaks in poultry, raw eggs should not be used in foods that will not be further heat-treated as, for example by cooking or baking.
Avian influenza is not transmitted through cooked food. To date, no evidence indicates that anyone has become infected following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products, even when these foods were contaminated with the H5N1 virus.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian.../en/index.html

[Special 1]

We need to get out of the vicious cycle of animal farming. As soon as we can. It is one of the biggest nightmares that us human beings have created. Bangladesh doesnt need it.

[shaad]

Originally Posted by Special 1
We need to get out of the vicious cycle of animal farming. As soon as we can. It is one of the biggest nightmares that us human beings have created. Bangladesh doesnt need it.

Special1, are you suggesting that we all turn into vegetarians?

[Special 1]

Originally Posted by shaad
Special1, are you suggesting that we all turn into vegetarians?

Not at all.
I am suggesting, we should not follow the US/EU model of corporate farming like the CAFO's.

[james02]

Yes friend there are every reason to feel concerned as being the residents of Asia we all know the origination of the said problem was from here itself. As many people are now starting to think that the evil has surpassed it comes back again! Wonder if there ever would be a permanent remedy to the problem!