Commonground
Senior Moderator
Media
September 5, 2025
So far in 2025, four children in Bangladesh have been diagnosed with avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
The children, aged between one and eight years, have all recovered after receiving treatment, confirmed Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Dr Tahmina Shirin warned, "The number of cases this year is alarming. We must strengthen data sharing and collaboration to prevent spillover in Bangladesh."
The information was shared on Wednesday (3 September) at a roundtable discussion titled "Avian Influenza in 2025: icddr,b Updating Research Strategy to Strengthen Bangladesh's Preparedness."
Experts at the event highlighted that avian influenza (AIV) is not only a concern for low- and middle-income countries but has also reemerged in humans globally in 2025, including in Europe and North America. Between January and August, 30 human cases were reported across eight countries, with Cambodia accounting for 14 and Bangladesh reporting four.
The roundtable, convened by icddr,b, brought together government representatives, academics, and international stakeholders to review the current situation and validate a national research strategy for avian influenza in Bangladesh.
Dr Sukanta Chowdhury, scientist at icddr,b, presented findings from a collaborative study by the One Health Research Unit of icddr,b (2024–2025), supported by the US CDC, aimed at shaping a national AIV research strategy. The study revealed that 95% of air samples from live bird markets in Dhaka and Gazipur tested positive for AIV, identifying these markets as high-risk zones for human transmission. Nearly half of all chickens found dead in these markets carried the avian influenza H5 subtype.
continued: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/health/4-children-diagnosed-bird-flu-bangladesh-year-1229381
September 5, 2025
So far in 2025, four children in Bangladesh have been diagnosed with avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
The children, aged between one and eight years, have all recovered after receiving treatment, confirmed Professor Dr Tahmina Shirin, director of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).
Dr Tahmina Shirin warned, "The number of cases this year is alarming. We must strengthen data sharing and collaboration to prevent spillover in Bangladesh."
The information was shared on Wednesday (3 September) at a roundtable discussion titled "Avian Influenza in 2025: icddr,b Updating Research Strategy to Strengthen Bangladesh's Preparedness."
Experts at the event highlighted that avian influenza (AIV) is not only a concern for low- and middle-income countries but has also reemerged in humans globally in 2025, including in Europe and North America. Between January and August, 30 human cases were reported across eight countries, with Cambodia accounting for 14 and Bangladesh reporting four.
The roundtable, convened by icddr,b, brought together government representatives, academics, and international stakeholders to review the current situation and validate a national research strategy for avian influenza in Bangladesh.
Dr Sukanta Chowdhury, scientist at icddr,b, presented findings from a collaborative study by the One Health Research Unit of icddr,b (2024–2025), supported by the US CDC, aimed at shaping a national AIV research strategy. The study revealed that 95% of air samples from live bird markets in Dhaka and Gazipur tested positive for AIV, identifying these markets as high-risk zones for human transmission. Nearly half of all chickens found dead in these markets carried the avian influenza H5 subtype.
continued: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/health/4-children-diagnosed-bird-flu-bangladesh-year-1229381
