Government issues directives on bird flu prevention

The government has issued directives for precautionary measures to be taken to prevent the spread of bird flu in the country following a recent outbreak of the disease in neighboring India.

The fisheries and livestock ministry, on Tuesday, issued a letter to the livestock department in this regard, said a press release.

According to the letter, the ministry directed that precautionary measures be taken, such as testing for bird flu every day and intensively supervising public-private farms across the country, especially in border districts.

Additionally, if any dead or suspicious poultry or bird is found, samples are to be collected and quickly tested at the nearest lab for further action to be taken according to the results, it added.

The livestock department was also directed to provide adequate numbers of sample test kits and personal protective equipment units to district and upazila veterinary hospitals and labs on an urgent basis.

It included that information must be collected about the current stock of vaccines and immediate action be taken to procure them, bio-safety must be ensured on farms and a massive campaign should be launched to warn farmers.

The ministry also gave instructions for a round-the-clock control room to be set up in the department and for necessary steps to be taken by collecting nationwide data and providing updates based on the findings, immediately.