November 27, 2007

Pakistan to implement bird flu monitoring system

Pakistan's National Institute of Health (NIH) plans to adopt a proper monitoring system to check on any bird flu outbreak in the country.

Masood Anwar, NIH executive director, said there is a need for a proper surveillance system to monitor bird flu cases. He also stated that Pakistan's poultry industry should follow guidelines disseminated by the Ministry of Health and Livestock time to time to prevent the start or spread of the avian virus.

Anwar opined that an effective media campaign is essential to create awareness about the disease and its prevention.

Dr Jaleel Kamran of the NIH Epidemic Investigation Cell cited that 21 cases were found in poultry farms last year while 76 cases in 2005. The cases are mainly among wild birds and in commercial backyard poultry.

Kamran said a federal monitoring cell had been set up aside from the establishment of provincial and district monitoring cells to closely follow the situation. The cells, aside from close monitoring, will also exchange technical information on bird flu virus.