Bird Flu H5N1 Virus in Two Pakistani Farms
Bernama, 22 Mar 2006

ISLAMABAD, March 22 (Bernama) -- World reference Laboratory for Avian Influence at Weybridge, England endorsed finding of Pakistan's Laboratory which confirmed that infection in samples taken from two farms (one commercial layer in Charsada and a small breeder farm in Abbotabad in north of the country) was Avian Influenza H5N1.

Earlier on February 27 this year, Pakistan government had announced presence of H5N1 on these two farms and necessary steps taken to minimize spread of infection to other poultry farms in vicinity and country in general.

Pakistan Press International (PPI) news agency reported Tuesday, quoting an official's statement, saying that these farms were quarantined and all birds culled with cooperation of poultry farmers and Pakistan Poultry Association.

The farm premises were disinfected. Ministry of Health also sent teams to examine  workers  and   declared them

healthy and free of infection.

All provincial governments in the country have since been undertaking increased surveillance and so far no new farm/bird has been found to be affected with disease anywhere in the country.

National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory at NARC, Islamabad also sent samples to World Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza in United Kingdom as per international norm, requirement and they also endorsed finding of Pakistani laboratory that infection was avian influenza H5N1.

Some additional samples were also sent which proved to be negative in national and international labs.

Provincial governments continue to undertake extensive surveillance. Technical staff of provincial livestock departments will collect samples, test these at their labs and send suspected samples to laboratory in Islamabad.

According to Food & Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization guidelines, public is assured that cooked poultry meat and eggs are safe to eat and there should not be any undue concern in this regard.

"We urge all poultry farmers that they should increase level of bio-security at their farms and immediately report any abnormal or high mortality to local veterinarian or district livestock, poultry development officer for immediate diagnosis," the report quoted Ministry of Food & Agriculture spokesman, Dr M Afzal as saying.-- BERNAMA