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Bangladesh's leading ornithologists recently warned that the deadly bird flu disease might spread to the country through the migratory birds in the coming winter. They said as most of the birds come from Siberia, the danger is looming. Siberia, along with Russia and Romania, have already experienced bird flu outbreak.
The disease, as warned by the World Health Organisation (WHO), may kill millions of people around the globe and as such should not be taken lightly. The government has already imposed a ban on import of chicks and eggs from 17 countries where the bird flu has reportedly spread. This is a timely move and the government must remain alert about the situation. Although no case has been reported in this country so far, the health facilities must be ready to deal with an emergency in this regard.
The import of chickens and eggs has been banned. But is there any foolproof measure to check smuggling of poultry birds into the country? We cannot rest assured with the announcement about the ban. Experts have appealed to the people for not killing and eating guest birds. There is a ban on hunting and killing of the guest birds. But who cares? The birds are captured and openly sold on the city streets just under the nose of the law enforcers.
With the beginning of the drive against adulteration, we feel that the common people have become highly health conscious. So if the danger is widely publicised, it may give some results. State-owned and private media can play a good role here.
Those who deal in poultry and live close to poultry in this country are not small in number. They must be particularly cautioned.
Alen Zubair
Gulshan, Dhaka.
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