Bird flu situation under control as govt takes adequate steps in N- dists

BSS, Rangpur

The bird flu situation remains under full control everywhere in northern Bangladesh following adequate preventive measures taken by the government to check spreading of avian influenza, officials told BSS here on Sunday.
Following spread of the bird flu disease at some places and parts of India, concerned authorities of the district and upazila administrations, livestock department, Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) and poultry farm owners have taken the measures.
The situation has remained under full control in the region and a high alert has been put along the border to prevent entry of poultry birds from outside, the officials said.
Sources in the land ports at Hilli in Dinajpur, Burimari in Lalmonirhat, Sona Masjid in Chapainawabganj informed BSS that since outbreak of the poultry bird disease in the neighbouring country, special attention has been taken at all entry points.
Officials of Rangpur Sector of BDR today told BSS that precautionary steps have been taken along the Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari, Panchagarh and adjoining frontiers to resist smuggling of eggs, chicks and poultry birds from India.
Authorities of Dinajpur Sector of BDR have also taken precautionary measures along the whole frontiers on Thakurgaon, Dinajpur, Joypurhat and Naogaon districts and the jawans are on high alert for preventing entrance of any poultry birds, chicks and eggs.
Official sources in Hakimpur Upazila Livestocks Officer in Dinajpur said that each of the incoming vehicles through Hilli Land Port there is being properly sprayed for at the entry point to prevent entrance of bird flu virus.
Similar steps have also been taken at Burimari and Sona Masjid land ports in Lalmonirhat and Chapainawabganj respectively, concerned livestock and customs officials informed.
On the other hand, the district and upazila level monitoring committees for preventing spread of bird flu disease have been conducting awareness building activities for the poultry farm owners and disseminating necessary information and leaflets for the purpose.
District Livestocks Officer of Rangpur Dr Rowshanuzzman today told BSS that special teams are monitoring all poultry farms in the district and providing necessary suggestions and leaflets among the poultry farm owners and workers to prevent spread of the disease.
"We are suggesting people about preventive bio-security measures like washing hands with soaps, detergents or charcoal ashes soon after contacting ducks, chickens and their eggs and keeping ducks separated from chickens," he added.
"We are also suggesting people to inform the authorities after knowing any usual death of birds, bury the dead birds, not to touch their faces without washing hands after looking after homestead poultry birds, slaughtering and de-feathering," he said.
The Regional Animal Disease Investigation and Research Centres at Joypurhat and Gaibandha are also conducting necessary activities for preventing spread of avian influenza in the northern region, officials said.