April 16, 2007

Pakistan urged to carry out mass vaccination against bird flu

Pakistan's poultry association has recommended that the country carry out mass vaccination across the country in the aftermath of bird flu outbreaks.

At least 12 government laboratories were working to diagnose the disease and had examined more than 60,000 samples so far.

Bird flu has occurred in the country's cities of Abbotabad, Islamabad and Karachi in wild birds, fancy birds and at 4-5 poultry farms.

Shahid Mahmood Dar Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) Punjab Zone, recommended mass vaccination against bird flu in the country to protect backyard poultry from the disease.

He also recommended that vaccines be provided to farmers free or subsidised for two years. Interest free loans should also be provided for the small and medium farmers so that they may continue farming, he added.

He further said that the PPA have adopted strict hygienic measures, with awareness raised at district levels through seminars and lectures.

Providing a 50-percent subsidy for mass scale vaccination would cost around Rs 95 million (US$1.6 million), he estimated.

He also emphasised that Pakistan's poultry Industry are safe and healthy, and urged consumers not to shun poultry products.

Pakistan's average daily consumption of protein, at 17 grammes, is already low, compared to the WHO's requirement of 27 grammes, he added.