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Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
- Thread starter Gert van der Hoek
- Start date
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
H5N1 virus resurfaces in Pakistan
Lisa Schnirring
Staff Writer
Jun 23, 2008 (CIDRAP News) – A livestock official in Pakistan today confirmed that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has struck again in the country's North-West Frontier province, killing thousands of chickens at a commercial farm.
Ibrahim Kahn, a livestock department chief in Swabi district, where the outbreak occurred, said confirmatory tests were performed at a government laboratory in Islamabad, according to a report today from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Kahn told AFP that the farm's owner notified authorities on Jun 20 about the suspicious deaths of about 4,000 birds. After a laboratory confirmed the H5N1 virus in samples from the birds the next day, authorities sealed the farm and destroyed about 2,000 birds, he said.
Pakistan's health ministry examined workers on the farm, but none appear to be infected with the virus, Kahn told AFP.
Last December, H5N1 outbreaks in North-West Frontier province contributed to suspected human-to-human transmission of the virus.
A few days before the new outbreak, Pakistan had filed a final report with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on outbreaks that occurred sporadically throughout 2007 and into early 2008. The country's last outbreak, which occurred in early March, also hit a commercial chicken farm in North-West Frontier province, near Abbottabad, according to a previous report from the OIE.
The report said wild birds were the probable source of the H5N1 virus in the previous 2007 and 2008 outbreaks.
Hong Kong farmers angry
Elsewhere, chicken farmers in Hong Kong threatened to release their chickens to protest what they see as an unfair compensation offer from government officials who, after recent H5N1 outbreaks in the city's live poultry markets, are exploring the possibility of phasing out live chicken trading, according to a Jun 20 AFP report.
The government has offered farmers and traders compensation totaling $163.9 million to give up their sales licenses, according to AFP. Chicken stall owners would receive between $600,000 and $1.5 million, depending on the size of the stall and product turnover, the report said.
York Chow, Hong Kong's health minister, said in a statement that the offer was "very reasonable," but a representative from the farmer's group that is threatening to release chickens said the government's offer was too low, according to AFP.
In early June, Hong Kong's government announced that animal health officials had found the H5N1 virus in five chicken-dropping samples from three poultry market stalls. The officials did not say if the testing was prompted by reports of sick or dead birds.
After the virus was found in chicken droppings at four more poultry markets, authorities on Jun 11 announced that all market poultry would be culled and that they were considering extending a 3-week ban on all live poultry from local farms and mainland China.
Less than a week later, authorities in Guangdong province, on Hong Kong's northern border, announced that the virus had struck a duck farm in Yashan Village.
FAO: Vietnam should keep vaccinating
In other avian influenza developments, experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently said Vietnam will probably need to continue vaccinating poultry for at least the next 3 to 5 years, according to a Jun 19 statement from the FAO. The experts made the statement in a report on a recent avian flu conference that was held in Vietnam, sponsored by the country's agriculture ministry, the FAO, and two US government agencies.
Jeff Gilbert, the FAO's avian influenza team leader in Vietnam, said in the statement that given farmers' lack of knowledge about biosecurity, Vietnam is at risk for significant outbreaks, like those that occurred in 2004 and 2005, unless vaccination continues.
After those widespread outbreaks, which led to the destruction of 66 million birds, Vietnam in 2005 became the first country to institute mandatory poultry vaccination against the H5N1 virus. However, over the past year, the country has suffered recurring smaller outbreaks, often among unvaccinated birds.
Bui Ba Bong, Vietnam's deputy agriculture minister, said further study of H5N1 virus transmission should be combined with restructuring of the country's poultry sector to boost biosecurity and strengthen educational messages about the disease.
Andrew Speedy, an FAO representative in Vietnam, praised Vietnam's government for acknowledging avian influenza risks, maintaining transparency, and taking a scientific approach to battling the virus. He said the country should "reconsider" vaccination, calling it effective but costly.
Gilbert said that changing Vietnam's traditional farming systems to incorporate better biosecurity and surveillance measures will require a careful approach. "So there is a push and pull. They (the farmers) will be pushed by legislation, but they will be pulled by giving them access to markets," he said.
Anni McLeod, a senior official with the FAO's livestock division, told meeting participants that a recent study indicated that mass media messages about avian influenza are losing their effectiveness in Vietnam.
She suggested a more personal, interactive approach to communities. "For many people in Vietnam, avian influenza is a part of life, it's not unusual, so we have to think about more direct ways to communicate with people, ways that are more related to their lives," McLeod said in the statement.
See also:
Mar 10 OIE report
Jun 11 CIDRAP News story "Hong Kong finds more H5N1, culls all market poultry"
Jun 19 FAO statement
http://www.fao.org/avianflu/news/vietnam_230608.html
Oct 25, 2006, CIDRAP News story "Special report: Vietnam's success against avian flu may offer blueprint for others"
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jun2308avian-br.html
H5N1 virus resurfaces in Pakistan
Lisa Schnirring
Jun 23, 2008 (CIDRAP News) – A livestock official in Pakistan today confirmed that the H5N1 avian influenza virus has struck again in the country's North-West Frontier province, killing thousands of chickens at a commercial farm.
Ibrahim Kahn, a livestock department chief in Swabi district, where the outbreak occurred, said confirmatory tests were performed at a government laboratory in Islamabad, according to a report today from Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Kahn told AFP that the farm's owner notified authorities on Jun 20 about the suspicious deaths of about 4,000 birds. After a laboratory confirmed the H5N1 virus in samples from the birds the next day, authorities sealed the farm and destroyed about 2,000 birds, he said.
Pakistan's health ministry examined workers on the farm, but none appear to be infected with the virus, Kahn told AFP.
Last December, H5N1 outbreaks in North-West Frontier province contributed to suspected human-to-human transmission of the virus.
A few days before the new outbreak, Pakistan had filed a final report with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) on outbreaks that occurred sporadically throughout 2007 and into early 2008. The country's last outbreak, which occurred in early March, also hit a commercial chicken farm in North-West Frontier province, near Abbottabad, according to a previous report from the OIE.
The report said wild birds were the probable source of the H5N1 virus in the previous 2007 and 2008 outbreaks.
Hong Kong farmers angry
Elsewhere, chicken farmers in Hong Kong threatened to release their chickens to protest what they see as an unfair compensation offer from government officials who, after recent H5N1 outbreaks in the city's live poultry markets, are exploring the possibility of phasing out live chicken trading, according to a Jun 20 AFP report.
The government has offered farmers and traders compensation totaling $163.9 million to give up their sales licenses, according to AFP. Chicken stall owners would receive between $600,000 and $1.5 million, depending on the size of the stall and product turnover, the report said.
York Chow, Hong Kong's health minister, said in a statement that the offer was "very reasonable," but a representative from the farmer's group that is threatening to release chickens said the government's offer was too low, according to AFP.
In early June, Hong Kong's government announced that animal health officials had found the H5N1 virus in five chicken-dropping samples from three poultry market stalls. The officials did not say if the testing was prompted by reports of sick or dead birds.
After the virus was found in chicken droppings at four more poultry markets, authorities on Jun 11 announced that all market poultry would be culled and that they were considering extending a 3-week ban on all live poultry from local farms and mainland China.
Less than a week later, authorities in Guangdong province, on Hong Kong's northern border, announced that the virus had struck a duck farm in Yashan Village.
FAO: Vietnam should keep vaccinating
In other avian influenza developments, experts from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently said Vietnam will probably need to continue vaccinating poultry for at least the next 3 to 5 years, according to a Jun 19 statement from the FAO. The experts made the statement in a report on a recent avian flu conference that was held in Vietnam, sponsored by the country's agriculture ministry, the FAO, and two US government agencies.
Jeff Gilbert, the FAO's avian influenza team leader in Vietnam, said in the statement that given farmers' lack of knowledge about biosecurity, Vietnam is at risk for significant outbreaks, like those that occurred in 2004 and 2005, unless vaccination continues.
After those widespread outbreaks, which led to the destruction of 66 million birds, Vietnam in 2005 became the first country to institute mandatory poultry vaccination against the H5N1 virus. However, over the past year, the country has suffered recurring smaller outbreaks, often among unvaccinated birds.
Bui Ba Bong, Vietnam's deputy agriculture minister, said further study of H5N1 virus transmission should be combined with restructuring of the country's poultry sector to boost biosecurity and strengthen educational messages about the disease.
Andrew Speedy, an FAO representative in Vietnam, praised Vietnam's government for acknowledging avian influenza risks, maintaining transparency, and taking a scientific approach to battling the virus. He said the country should "reconsider" vaccination, calling it effective but costly.
Gilbert said that changing Vietnam's traditional farming systems to incorporate better biosecurity and surveillance measures will require a careful approach. "So there is a push and pull. They (the farmers) will be pushed by legislation, but they will be pulled by giving them access to markets," he said.
Anni McLeod, a senior official with the FAO's livestock division, told meeting participants that a recent study indicated that mass media messages about avian influenza are losing their effectiveness in Vietnam.
She suggested a more personal, interactive approach to communities. "For many people in Vietnam, avian influenza is a part of life, it's not unusual, so we have to think about more direct ways to communicate with people, ways that are more related to their lives," McLeod said in the statement.
See also:
Mar 10 OIE report
Jun 11 CIDRAP News story "Hong Kong finds more H5N1, culls all market poultry"
Jun 19 FAO statement
http://www.fao.org/avianflu/news/vietnam_230608.html
Oct 25, 2006, CIDRAP News story "Special report: Vietnam's success against avian flu may offer blueprint for others"
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/jun2308avian-br.html
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
From final report
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000007125_20080617_121359.pdf
From final report
Epidemiology
Epidemiological comments
The first outbreak of highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza (HPNAI) was reported in February 2007 while the last one was observed on 3 March 2008. The event involved a total of 225,238 commercial poultry of various categories. Stamping out policy was adopted. All poultry on the index
farms were culled and disinfection operations were completed as per OIE guidelines. All culling and disinfection operations in the last reported outbreak were completed on 4 March 2008. All sero-surveillance results obtained within a 10-km-radius zone around the outbreak were negative.
Monitoring and sero-surveillance will continue.
Therefore, since no further outbreaks of HPNAI have been observed in the country since 3 March 2008; Pakistan declares itself free of HPNAI with effect from 4 June 2008.
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection ? Contact with wild speciesEpidemiological comments
The first outbreak of highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza (HPNAI) was reported in February 2007 while the last one was observed on 3 March 2008. The event involved a total of 225,238 commercial poultry of various categories. Stamping out policy was adopted. All poultry on the index
farms were culled and disinfection operations were completed as per OIE guidelines. All culling and disinfection operations in the last reported outbreak were completed on 4 March 2008. All sero-surveillance results obtained within a 10-km-radius zone around the outbreak were negative.
Monitoring and sero-surveillance will continue.
Therefore, since no further outbreaks of HPNAI have been observed in the country since 3 March 2008; Pakistan declares itself free of HPNAI with effect from 4 June 2008.
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_fup_0000007125_20080617_121359.pdf
Last edited by a moderator:
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
The time to halt the ProMED propaganda campaign has long since passed.
The above epidemiology was conspicuously absent from the ProMED commentary (which included long excerpts from the final report).
The time to halt the ProMED propaganda campaign has long since passed.
Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Source: http://www.freshnews.in/new-bird-flu-outbreak-in-pakistan-3-29879
New bird flu outbreak in Pakistan
By Indo-Asian News Service on Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pakistan has confirmed a new outbreak of avian flu in a poultry farm in the country?s northwest, The News daily reported Monday.
The virus was detected in Hamid farm in Swabi district of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) after its owner informed that 4,000 chickens died in the past days, the newspaper said.
The province?s livestock and dairy development department and the World Health Organization (WHO) officials said tests conducted in Islamabad laboratory on the tissues of the dead birds proved the presence of deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
The remaining 2,000 chickens were culled after the confirmation of bird flu outbreak. Another poultry farm was also sealed, the newspaper said.
Source: http://www.freshnews.in/new-bird-flu-outbreak-in-pakistan-3-29879
New bird flu outbreak in Pakistan
By Indo-Asian News Service on Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Pakistan has confirmed a new outbreak of avian flu in a poultry farm in the country?s northwest, The News daily reported Monday.
The virus was detected in Hamid farm in Swabi district of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) after its owner informed that 4,000 chickens died in the past days, the newspaper said.
The province?s livestock and dairy development department and the World Health Organization (WHO) officials said tests conducted in Islamabad laboratory on the tissues of the dead birds proved the presence of deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu.
The remaining 2,000 chickens were culled after the confirmation of bird flu outbreak. Another poultry farm was also sealed, the newspaper said.
Treyfish
Moderator
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Pakistan poultry farms to confirm the outbreak of the H5N1 avian flu epidemic, about 25 people have been isolated
<!---time--->
<!--关键字 e-->
<!--主体内容 b-->
This is the year in Pakistan for at least the fifth outbreak of bird flu, the official said the outbreak was confirmed Saturday in the town of Swabi a poultry farms in the capital, Islamabad, about 60 kilometers northwest.
He said that the region has about 4,500 poultry were culled, disinfected and have been.
The Ministry of Health is also an official said on condition of anonymity, including poultry farm workers and their closest staff, about 25 people are under quarantine surveillance. < :tiphat: http://209.85.171.104/translate_c?h...E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF2008&sl=en&tl=zh-CN&start=30
Pakistan poultry farms to confirm the outbreak of the H5N1 avian flu epidemic, about 25 people have been isolated
<!---time--->
2008-6-24 10:08:46
<!--关键字 b--><!--关键字 e-->
<!--主体内容 b-->
染.
Pakistan government officials said Monday in a poultry farm in the country found that the outbreak of the H5N1 avian flu, has isolated about 25 people, but found no infection. This is the year in Pakistan for at least the fifth outbreak of bird flu, the official said the outbreak was confirmed Saturday in the town of Swabi a poultry farms in the capital, Islamabad, about 60 kilometers northwest.
.
"Has been identified as H5N1, thank God has not found someone infected," the Ministry of Agriculture who asked to remain anonymous senior official said. He said that the region has about 4,500 poultry were culled, disinfected and have been.
The Ministry of Health is also an official said on condition of anonymity, including poultry farm workers and their closest staff, about 25 people are under quarantine surveillance. < :tiphat: http://209.85.171.104/translate_c?h...E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF2008&sl=en&tl=zh-CN&start=30
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Commentary
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06240801/H5N1_NW_Pakistan_Migration.html
Commentary
http://www.recombinomics.com/News/06240801/H5N1_NW_Pakistan_Migration.html
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Swabi Poultry Association says H5N9 mistaken for H5N1
Staff Report
SWABI: Swabi Poultry Association (SPA) on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration against District Livestock and Dairy Development Department and National Research Institute (NRI), Islamabad, for what they called ?mistaking an H5N9 strain for H5N1? that caused bird flu. The authorities had detected H5N1 strain at a poultry farm in Swabi three days ago and ordered immediate closure of the farm and culling of 2,000 birds. The association?s office-bearers said that they had conducted their own test at the Poultry Research Institute (PRI), Rawalpindi, where the strain was identified as H5N9. The association?s president, Zabiullah, demanded that the government constitute an impartial committee that should take samples for fresh tests. He warned that if the government failed to listen to their demand till June 30, they would hold a hunger strike camp in front of the NWFP Assembly.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\06\26\story_26-6-2008_pg7_53
Swabi Poultry Association says H5N9 mistaken for H5N1
Staff Report
SWABI: Swabi Poultry Association (SPA) on Wednesday staged a protest demonstration against District Livestock and Dairy Development Department and National Research Institute (NRI), Islamabad, for what they called ?mistaking an H5N9 strain for H5N1? that caused bird flu. The authorities had detected H5N1 strain at a poultry farm in Swabi three days ago and ordered immediate closure of the farm and culling of 2,000 birds. The association?s office-bearers said that they had conducted their own test at the Poultry Research Institute (PRI), Rawalpindi, where the strain was identified as H5N9. The association?s president, Zabiullah, demanded that the government constitute an impartial committee that should take samples for fresh tests. He warned that if the government failed to listen to their demand till June 30, they would hold a hunger strike camp in front of the NWFP Assembly.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\06\26\story_26-6-2008_pg7_53
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Trying to pin 4000 (out of 6000) poultry deaths in a couple of days on H5N9 seems to be a stretch.
Commonground
Senior Moderator
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Pakistan Zaibao bird flu
2008-06-25 12:10 Source: Consulate General in Karachi business chamber
The article type: original content Categories:
Pakistan on June 22 in North West Frontier Province of the Swabian Albert (Swabi) suburban farm outbreak of avian flu. According to the farmers, most recently the farm birds have died 4000, and June 22 by Islamabad, laboratory tests confirmed that the farm presence of H5N1 avian influenza virus. Local health authorities are currently testing whether the farm workers infected with the virus, while monitoring the farm to other farms in the vicinity. Pakistan in early 2006 reported the first cases of H5N1 virus infection, also near Islamabad last year in the recurrence of avian flu.
(The Chinese Consulate General in Karachi business chamber ancient Acer W)
http://karachi.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/jmxw/200806/20080605624759.html
Pakistan Zaibao bird flu
2008-06-25 12:10 Source: Consulate General in Karachi business chamber
The article type: original content Categories:
Pakistan on June 22 in North West Frontier Province of the Swabian Albert (Swabi) suburban farm outbreak of avian flu. According to the farmers, most recently the farm birds have died 4000, and June 22 by Islamabad, laboratory tests confirmed that the farm presence of H5N1 avian influenza virus. Local health authorities are currently testing whether the farm workers infected with the virus, while monitoring the farm to other farms in the vicinity. Pakistan in early 2006 reported the first cases of H5N1 virus infection, also near Islamabad last year in the recurrence of avian flu.
(The Chinese Consulate General in Karachi business chamber ancient Acer W)
http://karachi.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/jmxw/200806/20080605624759.html
Commonground
Senior Moderator
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Pakistan discovered a new bird flu outbreak
Editor: wangds date :2008-6-25 10:31:00 Source: Zhongqing Wang
-- ISLAMABAD, June 23 (Xinhua, Li Zhong) Pakistan, "Business News" on the 23rd reported that a chicken farm in northern Brazil on the 22nd been identified in highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu.
According to reports, the epidemic in poultry farms in this northern border province of Brazil Swabi district. Farm management staff, said in recent days, this farm has more than 4,000 chickens have died. The local agricultural sector and the World Health Organization subsequent tests confirmed that the dead chickens infected with the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
In order to control the epidemic, this farm the remaining over 2,000 chickens have been culled all. WHO also to Pakistan six other poultry farms were tested samples. However, it has not yet determined the extent of the epidemic.
Pakistan in 2006, the first time that bird flu, and then found that the number of poultry and birds infected with avian influenza virus. December 2007, WHO confirmed that Pakistan has moving-to-human transmission of avian cases.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=zh-CN|en&u=http://www.xjjjb.com/details.asp%3Fnewsid%3D23148&prev=/translate_s%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3DPakistan%2Boutbreak%2Bof%2Bavian%2Bflu%2B2008%26tq%3D%25E5%25B7%25B4%25E5%259F%25BA%25E6%2596%25AF%25E5%259D%25A6%25E7%25A6%25BD%25E6%25B5%2581%25E6%2584%259F%25E7%2588%2586%25E5%258F%25912008%26sl%3Den%26tl%3Dzh-CN%26start%3D30
Pakistan discovered a new bird flu outbreak
Editor: wangds date :2008-6-25 10:31:00 Source: Zhongqing Wang
-- ISLAMABAD, June 23 (Xinhua, Li Zhong) Pakistan, "Business News" on the 23rd reported that a chicken farm in northern Brazil on the 22nd been identified in highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu.
According to reports, the epidemic in poultry farms in this northern border province of Brazil Swabi district. Farm management staff, said in recent days, this farm has more than 4,000 chickens have died. The local agricultural sector and the World Health Organization subsequent tests confirmed that the dead chickens infected with the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
In order to control the epidemic, this farm the remaining over 2,000 chickens have been culled all. WHO also to Pakistan six other poultry farms were tested samples. However, it has not yet determined the extent of the epidemic.
Pakistan in 2006, the first time that bird flu, and then found that the number of poultry and birds infected with avian influenza virus. December 2007, WHO confirmed that Pakistan has moving-to-human transmission of avian cases.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&langpair=zh-CN|en&u=http://www.xjjjb.com/details.asp%3Fnewsid%3D23148&prev=/translate_s%3Fhl%3Den%26q%3DPakistan%2Boutbreak%2Bof%2Bavian%2Bflu%2B2008%26tq%3D%25E5%25B7%25B4%25E5%259F%25BA%25E6%2596%25AF%25E5%259D%25A6%25E7%25A6%25BD%25E6%25B5%2581%25E6%2584%259F%25E7%2588%2586%25E5%258F%25912008%26sl%3Den%26tl%3Dzh-CN%26start%3D30
Oracle
Well-known member
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
Take another look at Niman's Google map, up close and from a distance. At a scale of 1 mile, the nearby braided channel bed of the Indus river (that formed much of this valley) is pretty darned close (due south). Zoom in, to just the second notch from the top, and you get an eyefull of something totally unexpected, at a scale of 200 ft (remember, this is Pakistan, not Indiana):
Our site is in a highly developed urban area, surrounded by what looks to be other large commercial buildings (including several similar long, narrow light-colored roof silhouettes nearby, that might also be large poultry operations).
Not backyard flocks. This is another area where large-scale poultry rearing might be a major local industry.
The backyard outbreaks are, forgive the pun, 'chicken feed', in terms of cause and effect behind this H5N1 pandemic.
Take another look at Niman's Google map, up close and from a distance. At a scale of 1 mile, the nearby braided channel bed of the Indus river (that formed much of this valley) is pretty darned close (due south). Zoom in, to just the second notch from the top, and you get an eyefull of something totally unexpected, at a scale of 200 ft (remember, this is Pakistan, not Indiana):
Our site is in a highly developed urban area, surrounded by what looks to be other large commercial buildings (including several similar long, narrow light-colored roof silhouettes nearby, that might also be large poultry operations).
Not backyard flocks. This is another area where large-scale poultry rearing might be a major local industry.
The backyard outbreaks are, forgive the pun, 'chicken feed', in terms of cause and effect behind this H5N1 pandemic.
Last edited:
Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
PESHAWAR: Official made scapegoat in bird flu controversy
By Ashfaq Yusufzai
PESHAWAR, June 26: The provincial government has transferred an official of the livestock department from Swabi to Mardan as punishment for allegedly disclosing that H5N1 strain of bird flu influenza had been detected in a poultry farm of the district, sources told Dawn.
They claimed that on the advice of a local MPA, who favoured the poultry farm owners, Basic Livestock Officer Mohammad Ibrahim was made a scapegoat for revealing the information and ?transferred within a day as the process usually takes a month?.
Earlier, the livestock department had conducted a test of poultry samples at the National Research Institute Islamabad that reportedly detected H5N1 virus in the poultry samples taken from a poultry farm in Tordher, Swabi.
In contrast to this report, the Poultry Association Swabi claimed that they had conducted a similar test of the poultry sample at the Poultry Research Institute Rawalpindi, which identified the virus as H5N9, which was not dangerous for human beings.
Meanwhile, a team of the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussed the bird flue issue with the local authorities in Swabi. They discussed the signs and symptoms of the avian influenza with the healthcare providers at the two basic health units and one rural health centre in the area. The local health workers were instructed to conduct daily fever monitoring of all poultry workers along with their families.
As there is no isolation ward at the District Headquarters Hospital Swabi, the WHO has recommended that suspected cases of avian influenza in the area be shifted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar.
The WHO has recommended early disease warning system in the district to prevent outbreaks of the disease. Specific veterinary staff for bird flu investigation and surveillance in the district be sensitized, it added. Currently there is no proper surveillance system.
Sources said that upon the recommendation of the WHO, about 1,700 birds at the poultry farm were culled whereas 4,300 had already died. The birds had been supplied to the farm by a Lahore-based company.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/27/local23.htm
PESHAWAR: Official made scapegoat in bird flu controversy
By Ashfaq Yusufzai
PESHAWAR, June 26: The provincial government has transferred an official of the livestock department from Swabi to Mardan as punishment for allegedly disclosing that H5N1 strain of bird flu influenza had been detected in a poultry farm of the district, sources told Dawn.
They claimed that on the advice of a local MPA, who favoured the poultry farm owners, Basic Livestock Officer Mohammad Ibrahim was made a scapegoat for revealing the information and ?transferred within a day as the process usually takes a month?.
Earlier, the livestock department had conducted a test of poultry samples at the National Research Institute Islamabad that reportedly detected H5N1 virus in the poultry samples taken from a poultry farm in Tordher, Swabi.
In contrast to this report, the Poultry Association Swabi claimed that they had conducted a similar test of the poultry sample at the Poultry Research Institute Rawalpindi, which identified the virus as H5N9, which was not dangerous for human beings.
Meanwhile, a team of the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussed the bird flue issue with the local authorities in Swabi. They discussed the signs and symptoms of the avian influenza with the healthcare providers at the two basic health units and one rural health centre in the area. The local health workers were instructed to conduct daily fever monitoring of all poultry workers along with their families.
As there is no isolation ward at the District Headquarters Hospital Swabi, the WHO has recommended that suspected cases of avian influenza in the area be shifted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital in Peshawar.
The WHO has recommended early disease warning system in the district to prevent outbreaks of the disease. Specific veterinary staff for bird flu investigation and surveillance in the district be sensitized, it added. Currently there is no proper surveillance system.
Sources said that upon the recommendation of the WHO, about 1,700 birds at the poultry farm were culled whereas 4,300 had already died. The birds had been supplied to the farm by a Lahore-based company.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/27/local23.htm
Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
snips from OIE-report:
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N1
Affected animals
Species Birds (Commercial Broilers, ed)
Susceptible 6000
Cases 4000
Deaths 4000
Destroyed 2000
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection : Contact with wild species
Epidemiological comments
Samples were received on 17 and 20 June 2008.
Culling and disposal of birds along with disinfection of the infected premises were carried out on 22 June 2008 by the Rapid Response Team and a State veterinarian.
The premise was closed for one month. Monitoring of the areas is ongoing.
Ring vaccination with an H5 inactivated monovalent vaccine in a one-km-radius zone around the affected isolated farm is ongoing.
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7146
snips from OIE-report:
Causal agent Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
Serotype H5N1
Affected animals
Species Birds (Commercial Broilers, ed)
Susceptible 6000
Cases 4000
Deaths 4000
Destroyed 2000
Epidemiology
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection : Contact with wild species
Epidemiological comments
Samples were received on 17 and 20 June 2008.
Culling and disposal of birds along with disinfection of the infected premises were carried out on 22 June 2008 by the Rapid Response Team and a State veterinarian.
The premise was closed for one month. Monitoring of the areas is ongoing.
Ring vaccination with an H5 inactivated monovalent vaccine in a one-km-radius zone around the affected isolated farm is ongoing.
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7146
Last edited:
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
AVIAN INFLUENZA (84): PAKISTAN (NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE)
*************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Fri 27 Jun 2008
Source: Dawn.com [edited]
<http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/27/local23.htm>
The provincial government has transferred an official of the
livestock department from Swabi to Mardan as punishment for allegedly
disclosing that H5N1 strain of bird flu influenza had been detected
in a poultry farm of the district, sources told Dawn.
They claimed that on the advice of a local MPA [Member Provincial
Assembly], who favoured the poultry farm owners, the Basic Livestock
Officer was made a scapegoat for revealing the information and
"transferred within a day as the process usually takes a month."
Earlier, the livestock department had conducted a test of poultry
samples at the National Research Institute Islamabad that reportedly
detected H5N1 virus in the poultry samples taken from a poultry farm
in Tordher, Swabi.
In contrast to this report, the Poultry Association Swabi claimed
that they had conducted a similar test of the poultry sample at the
Poultry Research Institute Rawalpindi, which identified the virus as
H5N9, which was not dangerous for human beings.
Meanwhile, a team of the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussed
the bird flu issue with the local authorities in Swabi. They
discussed the signs and symptoms of the avian influenza with the
healthcare providers at the 2 basic health units and one rural health
centre in the area. The local health workers were instructed to
conduct daily fever monitoring of all poultry workers along with
their families.
As there is no isolation ward at the District Headquarters Hospital
Swabi, the WHO has recommended that suspected cases of avian
influenza in the area be shifted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital in
Peshawar.
The WHO has recommended an early disease warning system in the
district to prevent outbreaks of the disease and that specific
veterinary staff for bird flu investigation and surveillance in the
district be sensitized, it added. Currently there is no proper
surveillance system.
Sources said that upon the recommendation of the WHO, about 1700
birds at the poultry farm were culled, whereas 4300 had already died.
The birds had been supplied to the farm by a Lahore-based company.
[Byline: Ashfaq Yusufzai]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[According to the immediate notification of Pakistan's Chief
Veterinary Officer, submitted on Thu 26 Jun 2008 to the OIE (World
Organisation for Animal Health), the outbreak described was diagnosed
as highly pathogenic avian influenza virus serotype H5N1. Reason for
notification: reoccurrence of a listed disease.
For details, including a map, see WAHID (World Animal Health
Information Database), at
<http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7146>.
The notification discloses that the outbreak took place on the Hamid
poultry farm, Swabi, Tordhair, North West Frontier, that it had
started on 17 Jun 2008, and that it was initially confirmed on 19 Jun
2008.
The following epidemiological comments were included:
Samples were received on 17 and 20 Jun 2008. Culling and disposal of
birds along with disinfection of the infected premises were carried
out on 22 Jun 2008 by the Rapid Response Team and a State
veterinarian. The premise was closed for one month. Monitoring of the
areas is ongoing.
Ring vaccination with an H5 inactivated monovalent vaccine in a 1-km
(0.6 mi)-radius zone around the affected isolated farm is ongoing."
Follow-up reports are expected to be submitted on a weekly basis. - Mod.AS]
[see also:
Avian influenza (83): China (HK), Pakistan (NWFP) 20080627.1977
Avian influenza (82): Pakistan (NWFP) 20080623.1940
Avian influenza, human (41): Indonesia, Pakistan, WHO 20080404.1235
Avian influenza (38): China (Guizhou), Pakistan 20080227.0801
Avian influenza (29): Pakistan (NWFP, Sindh) 20080205.0468
Avian influenza (26): Pakistan (Sindh), UK (England), swan 20080202.0420
Avian influenza, human (05): China, Pakistan 20080110.0134
Avian influenza, human (03): Egypt, Pakistan, WHO 20080104.0038
2007
----
Avian influenza, human (177): Pakistan, Viet Nam, Egypt 20071227.4152
Avian influenza, human (172): China, Pakistan 20071222.4110
Avian influenza, human (166): Pakistan, WHO 20071215.4038
Avian influenza, human (165): Pakistan 20071214.4023
Avian influenza, human (163): Pakistan 1st report 20071213.4008
Avian influenza (166): Bangladesh, Pakistan, Viet Nam 20071103.3568
Avian influenza (114): Viet Nam, Pakistan, Czech Republic 20070627.2069
Avian influenza (87): Nigeria, India (RFI), Pakistan 20070526.1680
Avian influenza (39): Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan 20070221.0646
Avian influenza (31): Pakistan, S. Korea, Turkey, Russia, Japan 20070211.0523
Avian influenza (29): Turkey, UK, Pakistan, OIE 20070208.0498
Avian influenza (28): Pakistan 20070207.0479
2006
----
Avian influenza - worldwide (106): China, Pakistan, EU 20060506.1311
Avian influenza - worldwide (90): Egypt, Pakistan 20060416.1132
Avian influenza (82): Pakistan (NWFP) 20080623.1940]
...................................arn/mj/lm
AVIAN INFLUENZA (84): PAKISTAN (NORTH WEST FRONTIER PROVINCE)
*************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>
Date: Fri 27 Jun 2008
Source: Dawn.com [edited]
<http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/27/local23.htm>
The provincial government has transferred an official of the
livestock department from Swabi to Mardan as punishment for allegedly
disclosing that H5N1 strain of bird flu influenza had been detected
in a poultry farm of the district, sources told Dawn.
They claimed that on the advice of a local MPA [Member Provincial
Assembly], who favoured the poultry farm owners, the Basic Livestock
Officer was made a scapegoat for revealing the information and
"transferred within a day as the process usually takes a month."
Earlier, the livestock department had conducted a test of poultry
samples at the National Research Institute Islamabad that reportedly
detected H5N1 virus in the poultry samples taken from a poultry farm
in Tordher, Swabi.
In contrast to this report, the Poultry Association Swabi claimed
that they had conducted a similar test of the poultry sample at the
Poultry Research Institute Rawalpindi, which identified the virus as
H5N9, which was not dangerous for human beings.
Meanwhile, a team of the World Health Organisation (WHO) discussed
the bird flu issue with the local authorities in Swabi. They
discussed the signs and symptoms of the avian influenza with the
healthcare providers at the 2 basic health units and one rural health
centre in the area. The local health workers were instructed to
conduct daily fever monitoring of all poultry workers along with
their families.
As there is no isolation ward at the District Headquarters Hospital
Swabi, the WHO has recommended that suspected cases of avian
influenza in the area be shifted to the Khyber Teaching Hospital in
Peshawar.
The WHO has recommended an early disease warning system in the
district to prevent outbreaks of the disease and that specific
veterinary staff for bird flu investigation and surveillance in the
district be sensitized, it added. Currently there is no proper
surveillance system.
Sources said that upon the recommendation of the WHO, about 1700
birds at the poultry farm were culled, whereas 4300 had already died.
The birds had been supplied to the farm by a Lahore-based company.
[Byline: Ashfaq Yusufzai]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Mary Marshall
[According to the immediate notification of Pakistan's Chief
Veterinary Officer, submitted on Thu 26 Jun 2008 to the OIE (World
Organisation for Animal Health), the outbreak described was diagnosed
as highly pathogenic avian influenza virus serotype H5N1. Reason for
notification: reoccurrence of a listed disease.
For details, including a map, see WAHID (World Animal Health
Information Database), at
<http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/public.php?page=single_report&pop=1&reportid=7146>.
The notification discloses that the outbreak took place on the Hamid
poultry farm, Swabi, Tordhair, North West Frontier, that it had
started on 17 Jun 2008, and that it was initially confirmed on 19 Jun
2008.
The following epidemiological comments were included:
Samples were received on 17 and 20 Jun 2008. Culling and disposal of
birds along with disinfection of the infected premises were carried
out on 22 Jun 2008 by the Rapid Response Team and a State
veterinarian. The premise was closed for one month. Monitoring of the
areas is ongoing.
Ring vaccination with an H5 inactivated monovalent vaccine in a 1-km
(0.6 mi)-radius zone around the affected isolated farm is ongoing."
Follow-up reports are expected to be submitted on a weekly basis. - Mod.AS]
[see also:
Avian influenza (83): China (HK), Pakistan (NWFP) 20080627.1977
Avian influenza (82): Pakistan (NWFP) 20080623.1940
Avian influenza, human (41): Indonesia, Pakistan, WHO 20080404.1235
Avian influenza (38): China (Guizhou), Pakistan 20080227.0801
Avian influenza (29): Pakistan (NWFP, Sindh) 20080205.0468
Avian influenza (26): Pakistan (Sindh), UK (England), swan 20080202.0420
Avian influenza, human (05): China, Pakistan 20080110.0134
Avian influenza, human (03): Egypt, Pakistan, WHO 20080104.0038
2007
----
Avian influenza, human (177): Pakistan, Viet Nam, Egypt 20071227.4152
Avian influenza, human (172): China, Pakistan 20071222.4110
Avian influenza, human (166): Pakistan, WHO 20071215.4038
Avian influenza, human (165): Pakistan 20071214.4023
Avian influenza, human (163): Pakistan 1st report 20071213.4008
Avian influenza (166): Bangladesh, Pakistan, Viet Nam 20071103.3568
Avian influenza (114): Viet Nam, Pakistan, Czech Republic 20070627.2069
Avian influenza (87): Nigeria, India (RFI), Pakistan 20070526.1680
Avian influenza (39): Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan 20070221.0646
Avian influenza (31): Pakistan, S. Korea, Turkey, Russia, Japan 20070211.0523
Avian influenza (29): Turkey, UK, Pakistan, OIE 20070208.0498
Avian influenza (28): Pakistan 20070207.0479
2006
----
Avian influenza - worldwide (106): China, Pakistan, EU 20060506.1311
Avian influenza - worldwide (90): Egypt, Pakistan 20060416.1132
Avian influenza (82): Pakistan (NWFP) 20080623.1940]
...................................arn/mj/lm
Re: Pakistan: outbreak in poultry, June 2008
http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000007146_20080626_142343.pdf
Immediate notification report
Report reference: , Ref OIE: 7146, Report Date: 26/06/2008 , Country: Pakistan
Report Summary
Disease
Highly pathogenic avian influenza Animal type Terrestrial
Causal Agent
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus Serotype(s) H5N1
Clinical Signs
Yes Reason Reoccurrence of a listed disease
Date of first confirmation of the event
19/06/2008 Date of Start of Event 17/06/2008
Date of report
26/06/2008 Date Submitted To OIE 26/06/2008
Diagnosis
Laboratory (advanced), Necropsy Date Of Last Occurrence 03/2008
Number Of Reported Outbreaks
Submitted= 1, Draft= 0 Name of Sender of the report Dr R. H. Usmani
Address
3rd Floor
38-Khalid Plaza
Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area Islamabad
38-Khalid Plaza
Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area Islamabad
Position
Animal Husbandry Commissioner/CVO Government of Pakistan
Telephone
(92-051) 920 50 92
Fax
(92-051) 922 13 57
Email
usmanirh@hotmail.com
Entered by
Mme Margarita Alonso
Outbreak (this report - submitted)
NORTH-WEST FRONTIER Tordhair Sawabi Unit Type Location Latitude Longitude Start End
NORTH-WEST FRONTIER Tordhair Sawabi Farm M/S Hamid poultry farm 34,1333 72,85 17/06/2008
Species Measuring units Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds Animals 6000 4000 4000 2000 0
Affected Population
a commercial broiler flock 3 and 6 weeks old
Outbreak summary: Total outbreaks = 1 (Submitted)
Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Destroyed Slaughtered
Birds 6000 4000 4000 2000 0
Epidemiology
Epidemiological comments
Samples were received on 17 and 20 June 2008. Culling and disposal of birds along with disinfection of the infected premises were carried out on 22 June 2008 by the Rapid Response Team and a State veterinarian. The premise was closed for one month. Monitoring of the areas is ongoing.
Ring vaccination with an H5 inactivated monovalent vaccine in a one-km-radius zone around the affected isolated farm is ongoing.
Ring vaccination with an H5 inactivated monovalent vaccine in a one-km-radius zone around the affected isolated farm is ongoing.
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
? Contact with wild species
Printed on: Fri Jun 27 14:23:44 Paris, Madrid (heure d'?t?) 2008 Page 1/3
Printed on: Fri Jun 27 14:23:44 Paris, Madrid (heure d'?t?) 2008 Page 1/3
Control Measures
? Stamping out
Applied
? Quarantine
? Screening
? Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)
? Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
? Screening
? Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)
? Disinfection of infected premises/establishment(s)
To be applied
? Zoning
Animals treated
No
Vaccination Prohibited
No
Country / Zone
Country or zone
the whole country
Diagnostic test results
Laboratory Type Name of Laboratory Species Test Type Date Results Provided Result
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds virus neutralisation test (VNT) 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds virus isolation 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds rapid tests 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds virus neutralisation test (VNT) 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds virus isolation 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds rapid tests 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds virus isolation 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds rapid tests 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 21/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds virus neutralisation test (VNT) 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds virus isolation 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds 19/06/2008 Positive
National laboratory National Animal Sciences Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre (national reference laboratory for avian influenza) Birds rapid tests 19/06/2008 Positive
Future Reporting
What further reports will be submitted in relation to this event?
There are 1outbreaks that are still recorded as unresolved. It is not possible to declare this event resolved until these individual outbreaks are resolved.
The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.http://www.oie.int/wahid-prod/reports/en_imm_0000007146_20080626_142343.pdf
unpathedhaunt
Well-known member
WHO Backs the Sensible Doctor Ibrahim
WHO Backs the Sensible Doctor Ibrahim
SWABI: WHO, federal secy against livestock officer's transfer
By Our Correspondent
SWABI, June 28: The World Health Organisation and the federal secretary for agriculture want cancelled the transfer of the district livestock officer to make the drive against bird flu in Swabi more result-oriented after detection of H5N1 in a poultry farm in the district's Tordher village a week ago.
Sources told Dawn on Saturday that the federal secretary, WHO officials and all staff concerned stood against what they called the unjust transfer.
District livestock officer Dr Mohammad Ibrahim was made 'scapegoat' for his action against a bird flu-hit poultry farm which was immediately closed and about 2,000 birds were culled by officials of livestock and the WHO with the help of the local administration. Poultry farmers, however, have rejected reports of bird flu detection in the district as wrong.
When contacted, Dr Zia, WHO chief for the National Programme for Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza in the NWFP, told Dawn by phone from Peshawar that the transfer of the livestock officer was disturbing because under his supervision acquiring samplings from the H5N1 detecting region was vital.
"He was threatened with dire consequences when we reached for culling last Sunday. Despite the threat from poultry farm owners he moved forward and completed the culling operation within no time," said Dr Zia.
"The H5N1 is very dangerous and the transfer of the livestock officer was a conspiracy. This was not the time to target him on the political ground and keeping in mind the track-record of H5N1 it is high time of coordination and cooperation to get rid of the virus."
He recalled that about 20 million people were killed in Spain in 1918 by the Spanish flu and similarly thousands of people suffered from the deadly disease in Turkey.
The politicians, he said, should note the seriousness of the issue because once it broke out then it might be difficult to control it.
"We still want that Dr Ibrahim should work with us. We were on our way to visit the area on Friday, but due to the peculiar situation in Peshawar we could not move from here," he said.
The WHO, he said, wanted immediate collecting of samplings and they planned to visit the affected area soon.
In addition, sources in the livestock department said, Dr Ibrahim was called by the federal secretary for agriculture because H5N1 was a national issue and the federal government had taken it very seriously after the detection of bird flu in the region.
When contacted, Dr Mohammad Ikram Munir, project director of the National Programme for Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza, told Dawn from Islamabad that there was a dire need to cancel the transfer of the officer and what had been done by the politicians was not a step in the right direction.
The officials castigated ANP leaders, saying that instead of supporting him he was made a scapegoat, who had declared in the light of laboratory test that the strain of H5N1 that caused bird flu was detected in a poultry farm.
Sources said MPA Sinkandar Irfan had forced NWFP Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Hidayatullah to transfer the Swabi livestock officer.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/29/local13.htm
,
WHO Backs the Sensible Doctor Ibrahim
SWABI: WHO, federal secy against livestock officer's transfer
By Our Correspondent
SWABI, June 28: The World Health Organisation and the federal secretary for agriculture want cancelled the transfer of the district livestock officer to make the drive against bird flu in Swabi more result-oriented after detection of H5N1 in a poultry farm in the district's Tordher village a week ago.
Sources told Dawn on Saturday that the federal secretary, WHO officials and all staff concerned stood against what they called the unjust transfer.
District livestock officer Dr Mohammad Ibrahim was made 'scapegoat' for his action against a bird flu-hit poultry farm which was immediately closed and about 2,000 birds were culled by officials of livestock and the WHO with the help of the local administration. Poultry farmers, however, have rejected reports of bird flu detection in the district as wrong.
When contacted, Dr Zia, WHO chief for the National Programme for Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza in the NWFP, told Dawn by phone from Peshawar that the transfer of the livestock officer was disturbing because under his supervision acquiring samplings from the H5N1 detecting region was vital.
"He was threatened with dire consequences when we reached for culling last Sunday. Despite the threat from poultry farm owners he moved forward and completed the culling operation within no time," said Dr Zia.
"The H5N1 is very dangerous and the transfer of the livestock officer was a conspiracy. This was not the time to target him on the political ground and keeping in mind the track-record of H5N1 it is high time of coordination and cooperation to get rid of the virus."
He recalled that about 20 million people were killed in Spain in 1918 by the Spanish flu and similarly thousands of people suffered from the deadly disease in Turkey.
The politicians, he said, should note the seriousness of the issue because once it broke out then it might be difficult to control it.
"We still want that Dr Ibrahim should work with us. We were on our way to visit the area on Friday, but due to the peculiar situation in Peshawar we could not move from here," he said.
The WHO, he said, wanted immediate collecting of samplings and they planned to visit the affected area soon.
In addition, sources in the livestock department said, Dr Ibrahim was called by the federal secretary for agriculture because H5N1 was a national issue and the federal government had taken it very seriously after the detection of bird flu in the region.
When contacted, Dr Mohammad Ikram Munir, project director of the National Programme for Control and Prevention of Avian Influenza, told Dawn from Islamabad that there was a dire need to cancel the transfer of the officer and what had been done by the politicians was not a step in the right direction.
The officials castigated ANP leaders, saying that instead of supporting him he was made a scapegoat, who had declared in the light of laboratory test that the strain of H5N1 that caused bird flu was detected in a poultry farm.
Sources said MPA Sinkandar Irfan had forced NWFP Minister for Livestock and Dairy Development Hidayatullah to transfer the Swabi livestock officer.
http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/29/local13.htm
,