Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases yet to be upgraded
* Lab received approval over two years ago
* Govt short of funds, not responding to USAID, JICA?s offers to help
KARACHI: The National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases (NRLPD) Islamabad is yet to be upgraded to Bio-Security Level (BSL)-3 despite receiving approval over two years ago.
The NRLPD plays a vital role in the surveillance of bird flu and other deadly viral infections, which are transferable from birds to human beings.
National Avian Influenza Control Programme Sindh Coordinator Dr Muhammad Aslam Jalali said the NRLPD is the only lab of its kind in Pakistan.
The Office International des ?pizooties, also known as the World Organisation for Animal Health, had declared Pakistan as free from bird flu after the NRLPD?s results.
It is necessary to upgrade this lab to BSL-3 to make it more effective and to protect the lives of the people working there.
Only two rooms of the lab have been upgraded to BSL-3, but the need of the hour is to convert it into a complete BSL-3 lab.
Biosafety Association of Pakistan Chairperson Dr Shahana Urooj said the NRLPD should be upgraded to BSL-3 not because this lab could also conduct surveillance of dengue, swine flu and other deadly viruses.
Eidul Azha is approaching and animals are brought to cities from interior parts of the province and country for sacrificing.
These animals carry pests that carry viruses, which could be transferred to human beings.
It is a very serious issue and authorities concerned should take action, as the NRLPD could play a vital role in preventing people from contracting deadly viral infections.
A few months ago, some casualties occurred from the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, for which a virus was responsible; and these mortalities were signs for relevant authorities.
One of the victims was a butcher, which is said to be one of the most vulnerable jobs with regard to contracting highly infectious diseases.
Majority of the cases have occurred in those involved with livestock, such as veterinarians, and agricultural and slaughterhouse workers.
Several doctors treating the affected people later died of the same viral infections.
All these facts demand higher BSLs in labs and enhancement of labs like the NRLPD.
Bird Flu Control Programme Sindh Surveillance Officer Dr Rashid Farooq said diagnosis and monitoring of the avian influenza is the responsibility of the NRLPD.
This lab has the ability of analysing the behaviour and structure of all types of viruses, and it has been performing this duty with regard to the bird flu virus since 2004.
The new equipment would enable the lab to test samples to determine the strain of the avian flu virus within six hours.
The NRLPD is the only Food and Agriculture Organisation-approved lab for handling the avian influenza pandemic in South Asia, so samples from various South Asian countries are sent there for virus isolation and other tests.
The matter of concern is that the lab is not being completely upgraded to BSL-3, which means that a large number of researchers, including 47 PhD scholars, are risking their lives by performing their duties.
Sources in the NRLPD said the lab had been approved for being upgraded more than two years ago, but the authorities are delaying it on the pretext of ?lack of funds?.
Interestingly, offers by various international organisations, including United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), are already available for upgrading the lab.
It is also being said that whenever the government is asked for funds, they say, ?We are facing shortage of funds for provision of drinking water. How can we provide funds for enhancement of the lab??
However, it is incomprehensible why the higher authorities do not accept USAID or other agencies? offers when they are facing shortage of funds.
According to sources, some corrupt elements are creating hurdles in the enhancement of the lab, as they want their share in the funds allocated for this purpose. asad farooq
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\11\15\story_15-11-2010_pg12_2
* Lab received approval over two years ago
* Govt short of funds, not responding to USAID, JICA?s offers to help
KARACHI: The National Reference Laboratory for Poultry Diseases (NRLPD) Islamabad is yet to be upgraded to Bio-Security Level (BSL)-3 despite receiving approval over two years ago.
The NRLPD plays a vital role in the surveillance of bird flu and other deadly viral infections, which are transferable from birds to human beings.
National Avian Influenza Control Programme Sindh Coordinator Dr Muhammad Aslam Jalali said the NRLPD is the only lab of its kind in Pakistan.
The Office International des ?pizooties, also known as the World Organisation for Animal Health, had declared Pakistan as free from bird flu after the NRLPD?s results.
It is necessary to upgrade this lab to BSL-3 to make it more effective and to protect the lives of the people working there.
Only two rooms of the lab have been upgraded to BSL-3, but the need of the hour is to convert it into a complete BSL-3 lab.
Biosafety Association of Pakistan Chairperson Dr Shahana Urooj said the NRLPD should be upgraded to BSL-3 not because this lab could also conduct surveillance of dengue, swine flu and other deadly viruses.
Eidul Azha is approaching and animals are brought to cities from interior parts of the province and country for sacrificing.
These animals carry pests that carry viruses, which could be transferred to human beings.
It is a very serious issue and authorities concerned should take action, as the NRLPD could play a vital role in preventing people from contracting deadly viral infections.
A few months ago, some casualties occurred from the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, for which a virus was responsible; and these mortalities were signs for relevant authorities.
One of the victims was a butcher, which is said to be one of the most vulnerable jobs with regard to contracting highly infectious diseases.
Majority of the cases have occurred in those involved with livestock, such as veterinarians, and agricultural and slaughterhouse workers.
Several doctors treating the affected people later died of the same viral infections.
All these facts demand higher BSLs in labs and enhancement of labs like the NRLPD.
Bird Flu Control Programme Sindh Surveillance Officer Dr Rashid Farooq said diagnosis and monitoring of the avian influenza is the responsibility of the NRLPD.
This lab has the ability of analysing the behaviour and structure of all types of viruses, and it has been performing this duty with regard to the bird flu virus since 2004.
The new equipment would enable the lab to test samples to determine the strain of the avian flu virus within six hours.
The NRLPD is the only Food and Agriculture Organisation-approved lab for handling the avian influenza pandemic in South Asia, so samples from various South Asian countries are sent there for virus isolation and other tests.
The matter of concern is that the lab is not being completely upgraded to BSL-3, which means that a large number of researchers, including 47 PhD scholars, are risking their lives by performing their duties.
Sources in the NRLPD said the lab had been approved for being upgraded more than two years ago, but the authorities are delaying it on the pretext of ?lack of funds?.
Interestingly, offers by various international organisations, including United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), are already available for upgrading the lab.
It is also being said that whenever the government is asked for funds, they say, ?We are facing shortage of funds for provision of drinking water. How can we provide funds for enhancement of the lab??
However, it is incomprehensible why the higher authorities do not accept USAID or other agencies? offers when they are facing shortage of funds.
According to sources, some corrupt elements are creating hurdles in the enhancement of the lab, as they want their share in the funds allocated for this purpose. asad farooq
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\11\15\story_15-11-2010_pg12_2