Drive launched to dispel bird flu fears

The poultry farmers here have launched a province-wide drive to dispel the fear that poultry products are unsafe for human consumption.
The fear had gripped the people all over the country as media blew the bird flu out of proportion following the outbreak of bird flu in some Asian countries which caused irreparable dent to poultry industry in the country
Local authorities conducted extensive survey of the poultry farms and launched vaccination campaign but they failed to detect any case of bird flu virus.
The Dean, Faculty of Medicine at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Professor Allah Bachio Memon, speaking at a seminar on bird flue categorically announced that no human to human transmission of bird flu had been reported from any part of the province to-date.
He, however, gave out the symptom of the disease and spelled out a number of precautionary measures during handling of birds and their meat before cooking.
The Poultry farmers in central Sindh brought out a procession, with birds, at national highway.
They also organised a feast of cooked poultry products.
At Hyderabad, elected members of national and provincial assemblies, elected members of city and district councils, poultry farmers and traders took out a procession from City Gymkhana, which terminated at Hyderabad Press Club.
Addressing the processionists Professor Khalid Wahab, MNA, said that the rumours spread by vested interests about bird flu virus had created fear among the people against consumption of poultry products.
He said that no case of poultry virus H5 had been reported from any part of the province. However, preventive measures have been taken, he added.
Later, the chairman of Poultry Association, Malik Akram, and Dr Tariq invited newsmen and other people to have cooked poultry products with their elected representatives.
According to reports reaching here from Shikarpur, Moro and other parts of Dadu district it has been announced on loudspeakers that the chickens are free from bird virus and people can consume poultry products without any fear.
Similar reports to dispel the fear against consumption of poultry products were pouring in from other parts of the province.
Medical scientists, however, urged the government to take all precautionary measures against the disease although it has not appeared in Pakistan. They expressed their concern over the reports of bird flu in other Asian countries.